Observed autogamy in Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.)

Baobab ( Adansonia digitata L.) is an important wild tree of African origin which is currently attracting interest for domestication. Flower polymorphism observed on baobab trees at the Ho Technical University (HTU), Ghana, raised interest in understanding the phenomenon since it may have implication for reproduction in the species. This led to the objective of examining if baobab flowers could self-fertilize. In furtherance of this, flowering in five, two-year-old baobab trees were monitored. Two of the trees had preanthesis cleistogamous flowers while the other three had dichogamous flowers. The trees with the preanthesis cleistogamous flowers fruited, while those with dichogamous flowers did not. These observations suggested that the preanthesis cleistogamous trees might have self-compatible flowers, while the other type might not have. This seems to be the first report of autogamous fruiting in baobab. Self-compatible trees have a high probability of fruiting and therefore would be higher yielding. In addition, fixing of superior traits is easier in self-compatible trees. Confirmation of the finding is recommended and consequent attempts at domesticating the species should focus on preanthesis cleistogamous baobab trees with desired characters.