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Protocole WP 4: Domestication and pre-breeding of shea tree :
characterisation, mobilisation of local varieties by a multitrait, participative
approach and horticultural research
1. Objectives
1.1. Main objective
- To promote domestication of shea tree by characterising farmer varieties on the basis of
morphological, fruit quality, molecular and chemical traits, by mobilising clones and by
developing guidelines for breeding strategies.
1.2. Specific objectives
– To characterise local varieties using morphological, molecular and chemical traits,
– to mobilise the gene pool for future domestication, establish knowledge on genetic
parameters,
- to develop guidelines for effective domestication based on sound genetic principles.
2. Deliverables
- Indigenous knowledge and farmers pratices on shea tree described, local varieties identified,
- farmers varieties described using agro morphological and chemical traits,
- data base on the molecular fingerprint of each variety (phylogenetic relationship)established,
- individual trees with superior attributes selected and marked in the field,
- vegetative propagation trials (grafting and cutting) tested and developed,
- clonal trials/germplasm banks established at 3 sites (Mali, Burkina and Sénégal),
- genetic parameters assessed in existing trials of Mali and Burkina Faso or by establishing
seed orchard,
- genetic and economic feasibility of the breeding of various traits evaluated,
- manuscript of scientific papers on genetic and economical feasibility of breeding for
different traits established,
- manuscript of scientific papers on local varieties identified by farmers established,
- manuscript on guidelines for domestication and breeding of Karité established,
- manuscript on guidelines for propagation of Karité established.
3. Description of work
3.1. Task 1 : Collecting informations on varieties using farmers interview
3.1.1. Identification of the sites
A first mission will be carried out by the end of may in different agroclimatic zones to
contact the Directors of Nature Conservation and members of local communities in order to
explain to them the goal of the project and at the same time to ask for their participation and
assistance in the project by selecting the sites and by making a list of voluntary farmers.
Selection will take in to account agroclimatic and agroecologic zones and human pratices.
Study sites will be selected in four (4) different agroclimatic zones: the north guinean where
the rainfall varies between 1100 to 1500 mm, the south sudanian around 900 mm - 1000 mm,
the north sudanian with 650 – 850 mm and the south sahelian (450-600 mm).
3.1.2. Participatory rural appraisal and identification of farmers’varieties
Indigenous knowledges on the local varieties will be assessed in the distribution area of shea
tree. The interview will be semi structured focusing on quality of fruits, pulp, nuts, selection
criterias, classification of varieties, tree management and juvenile phase, utilization of the
different parts of the tree, horticultural and agroforestry practices associated with the shea
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tree, harvest, handling and processing. Surveys will concern men as well as women and
children.The questions below will be asked to the farmers.
Name of the researcher : .................................. Name of the translator:......................
Name of the farmer : .....................…….
Gender of the farmer ………..
Name of the village..:………..
…………………………………………
Agroclimatic and agroécologic zones ……….
Ethnie group and langage of the farmer: .........................................
Type of climat, vegetation.: .........................................................
Are there support structures in the agricultural field (public and private)
Age of the farmer : …………………………………
What is your status in the village?
Native : …………
Do you have agricultural land (field)? : Yes : ….
How did you got the lands ? : …................
Non native : ………..
No : ….
Land owner : ……… Rented property : …......
What are your obligations towards the land owner or the family chief? : ..........................
What are the main areas of karité stands in this zone? : ……………….........
………………………… ……………………… …………………….. ……………….
What are the origins of these stands? : ……………………………………………
………………… …………………….. …………………………. ……………………….
Are there differences between the old stands and the actual stands? : Yes : ….. No : …...
What are the reasons? :…………………………………………………
How old is the field or fallow ?
What are the proverbs and anecdotes linked to karité?.
What is the role of traditional knowledges (taboos, rituals and interdicts) related to the shea
tree varieties (production, harvest and conservation)
Do shea tree managements exist (to protect the species)? : ....................................
Are there efficient?. .........................................
Are the karité trees of fields or fallows planted ? : Yes……
No…..
Have you planted already a karité tree? Yes……
No….. Why ? :
………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Do you know its juvenile phase and its fruits bearing period ? : Yes : …. No : …
Are there classification criterias of karité ?. Yes….
No…
What are these criterias?…………….
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Is domestication of shea tree an existing pratice in the village?: ............................
Do you recognize different varieties of karité ? : Yes : ….
What are the vernacular names of karité and the varieties?.
No : ….
What are the characteristic of these varieties ? : ………………. …………………..
What are the uses (utilizations) of the different parts of karité in general and of these varieties
in particular?………………
What is the organoleptic characteristic of the varieties ?………… ;
What are the varieties having the best biochemical properties (oil quality and quantity, pulp
taste and quantity) ? : …………………………………………………………………
Do you know other utilizations (uses) of the species ? : Yes : ….
No : ….
What are the other uses ? : …………….. ………………………. …………………….
…………….. ……
What are the different parts of the tree that you use ? :
Mistletoe
Leaves :
Branches :
Bark :
Roots :
Fruits :
Nut :
Pulpe :
Epicarp :
Cattle cake :
Latex :
What uses are there ?
Mistletoe...........................................................................……………............................
Leaves ………….........................................................................………………….
Branches...........................……………………………………………………………
Bark ...........................................................……………...........................................
Roots ...........................................................……………...........................................
Fruits ...........................................................……………...........................................
Nuts...........................................................……………...........................................
Epicarp ...........................................................……………...........................................
Cattle cake: ...........................................................……………...........................................
Latex: …………………………………………………………………………………….
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3.2. Task 2. Characterization of varieties combining agromorphological, chemical and
molecular traits
Characterization will concern varieties identified with farmers. Traits measured on the trees
will concern different organs. For fruits and leaves parameters, twenty fruit and twenty leaves
per tree will be measured from selected trees.
- Agro morphological parameters
* Vegetative traits
Tree height,
Circumference at the base and at the breast,
presence of Tapinanthus),
mean canopy diameter (at the east-west and north-south),
canopy shape,
leaves lamina length and width,
petiole length and width,
lamina shape,
pilosity of leaves,
* Floral traits
number of sepals and petals
sepals and petals length and width,
petals color,
number of staminods and stamens,
stamens and pistil lenght,
ovary position
* Fruit traits
fruits weight,
fruit length and width,
pilosity of fruits,
nut weight,
nut color,
nut length and width,
number of nut in the fruit,
pulp weight,
precocity
Each tree will be georeferenced using a GPS in order to draw the map of the varieties
distribution . For each collected variety a sheet holding a number will be put in a bag
containing the fruits.
- Chemical composition
Sugar content of the pulp and fat content of the kernel will be analysed on a sample of 20
fruits per tree. Analyse of kernel will be undertaken by the method of NIRS in Montpellier,
those of pulp will be done in the african laboratories (Burkina Faso and Sénégal).
30 fruits will collected on the selected tress, their pulp will be removed and the nut sowed in
the plastic pot containing sand, soil and in the nursery.
- Molecular analyses
Two or three leaves will be placed in a bag containing 5 g of silicagel in order to dessicate
them. These leaves will be used for the molecular analyses (fingerprinting varieties). Using
the new molecular markers defined in WP3 and other more classical molecular markers such
as micro satellite will be used to fingerprint the varieties.
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3.3. Task 3 : Development of an improved gene pool
Improved gene pool will be developed by selection in five steps.
First step: involves identifying a single region that is candidate for establishment the trials.
Second step: 150 superior genotypes will be selected according to farmers. These trees will
be assessed using morphological and chemical parameters (pulp and nut quality).
Third step: the number of clones are narrowed down from 150 to 50 trees based on the
qualitative and quantitative assessments combined with farmers experiences.
Finally, 15 superior trees/varieties will be retained according to their fruit quality.
Fifth step : Scions are taken from the 15 “plus trees” and will be grafted on rootstocks
produced in the nursery and on wild seedlings identified in the villages. The grafted seedlings
are planted in clonal trials/germplasm bank (one per African country for demonstration). The
distance of plantation will be 7 m between the lines and between the trees in a complete
randomized block with three replicates. The clonal trials/germplasm bank shall serve as
replicated clonal trials allowing evaluation of the varieties breeding value once the grafting
initiates fruit set. The clonal trials/germplasm bank will serve as potential propagation
orchards suitable for taking cuttings and scions from selected clones, it will serve also as seed
orchards allowing an germplasm output in terms of improved seed in decentralised seed
source development programmes.
Assessed parameters
Sites will be visited at the following times: one month, six months and one year after grafting
and the following parameters will be assessed:
- survival rate after one month,
- survival rate after six months,
- annual growth,
- flower and fruit production.
3.4. Task 4 Assessing genetic gain.
Existing clonal trials in Burkina Faso and Mali will be assessed as described in task 3 above.
Based on the findings, broad sense heritabilities and genetic variance components will be
estimated in order to assess the genetic of the different traits. The analysis of the data will be
done in a joint statistical workshop held in the region.
Plantations of shea tree had been done in Mali and Burkina Faso. In addition wild seedlings
was grafted in the farmers fields in 2000 in the framework of “Parkland Project”. These trials
will be assessed and the genetic gain will be evaluated by taking in to account the parameters
such as the plants height, diameter at the base, number of ramifications, flowering and
fructification. From these data, the genetic parameters such as genetic variance, broad sense
heritability will be assessed. If the trials do not exist any more, the above parameters will be
measured with the seedlings which will be produced in nurseries in 2007 and grafted in 2009.
The data analyses will then be carried out in 2010.
3.5. Task 5 : Guidelines for development of breeding programmes
The genetic and economic feasibility of the breeding of various traits will be evaluated and
compared on the basis of the results of the activities of this WP. It will be a restitution of the
results of works on characterization of varieties, seedlings production in the nurseries,
propagation by grafting, and by cutting, clonal trials/germplasm bank and the genetics of
various characters. The breeding context will be described on the basis of obtained results,
defining the stages for development of national or regional breeding programs. Guidelines for
developement of such programs will be developed drawing on the lessons learned from this
project. Planning for a future assessment and for the application of the results will be
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discussed during the assement workshops in connexion with WP 7 and in the frame of the WP
10. Finally, this activity will take place at the end of the project.
3.6. Task 6 : Horticultural research
3.6.1. Improvement of the technique of propagation by seed
One hundred and fithy (150) ripe fruits without parasites will be selected and sampled per tree
during the field characterizations, sampling will concern ten (10) trees. The pulp will be
removed and the nuts will be sowed in black plastic pots of 30 cm length and 17 cm width
containing sand, soil and mould 1/3:1/3:1/3. The nuts are conserved in sawdust before
sowing. Then, they are sowed at the surface of the substrat and protected against the sun (to
prevent the dessication of the seeds) with an hangar before the germination. They are watered
twice the week. After the germination the hangar is removed to put the the seedlings under the
direct sunlight. Five treatments will be involved with one combination factor : five times of
seed conservation: one week, two weeks, one month, 45 day and two months. The design will
be a complete randomized block with three replicates and 10 seeds per treatment giving a total
of 150 seeds per block.
Parameters assessed:
The following parameters will be assessed after one month, three, six months and one year :
- Germination rate,
- survival rate after one month,
- survival rate after six months,
- survival rate after one year,
- seedlings growth (height, diameter number of leaves and ramifications),
- attacks by insects.
3.6.2. Grafting
- Selection of sites and farmers
Grafting wild seedlings will be done in the villages selected by the partners of WP 1, 2, 3.
Individual farmers’ selection will occur early before the beginning of the activities. The
selection within the villages will take into account :
- willingness of the farmers in the village to adopt innovative technology,
- absence of land conflict between farmers,
- ownership status of a field or fallow.
In each village, three farmers will be selected.
- Rootstocks and scions
Two types of rootstocks will be used: wild seedlings on farm or fallow and seedlings
produced by farmers. Partners in charge of WP 4 in the nurseries will also produce seedlings
in the nursery of their research stations from june to september in the frame of the task 6.1.
Scions will be taken from superior varieties based on the qualitative and quantitative chemical
assessment and according to farmers. Scions are a fragment of branche having one or many
buds which can develop a new plant. Care will be taken when transporting scions from the
plus trees to the rootstocks. They will be transported under moist conditions and away from
direct sunlight. No pre-treatment of scions will be needed.
- Grafting methods
The following methods of grafting for each species. Four (4) methods of grafting will be
investigated: side cleft, side tongue, top cleft and chip budding. Eight (8) treatments will be
involved: four (4) methods of grafting, two (2) types of rootstock. The two types of rootstocks
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are wild seedlings on farm or fallow and seedlings produced in village or research nurseries.
The design is a complete randomized block with three replicates (blocks) and 10 grafts per
treatment, giving a total of 240 seedlings (120 wild and 120 nursery grown seedlings) grafted
in each village. Each block will be represented by one farmer’s field, that is, 80 grafted
seedlings (40 wild and 40 nursery grown seedlings) by one farmer. The grafted seedlings will
be planted in the farmers fields. In addition, grafting will occured in three periods of the year :
dry cold period from november to january, hot season (from march to may), and humid season
(from june to september). This will allow to know the best period for grafting. Farmers
selection will occur early before the beginning of the activities.
- Parameters assessed:
Grafted plants will be visited at the following times: three weeks, six months and one year
after grafting and the following parameters will be assessed:
- survival rate after three weeks;
- survival rate after six months;
- annual growth
- flower and fruit production
3.6.3. Stem cutting
Since there have been no reports so far on successful stem cutting trials on Vitellaria
paradoxa, the stem cutting trials will be undertaken only at the research station. The cuttings
will be taken from the branches of superior varieties selected on the basis of selection criteria
according to farmers and chemical analyses.
The number of treatments will be eight (8): two treatment of age of branch (old or lignified
branches and fresh or not lignified branches) and two type of length of branches (10 cm and
15 cm) and two types of pretraitment : pretraitment with IBA (indol butyric acid) and without
pretraitment. Pretraitment with IBA consist to put the top of the cuttings in the phytohormon
before planting. The experimental design is the randomized complete block with three
replicates, 10 cuttings per treatment per block. The total number of cuttings will be 240 per
experiment. The cuttings will be planted in a polypropagator containing sand, they will be
watered twice a day, i.e. once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
- Parameters assessed:
Cuttings will be assessed at one month, six months and one year after establishment of the
trials, and the following parameters will be assessed:
- Survival rate after one month,
- survival rate after six months,
- rooting time,
- leafing time,
- growth,
- phenology,
- fruit production.
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4. Planning of activities
Periods
Tasks
Surveys for identification of farmers
Surveys (participatory rural appraisal),
identification varieties and fruits sampling
Agromorphological characterization of
varieties and fruits sampling
Chemical characterization of nuts and pulp
Fingerprinting varieties and phylogenetic
relationship
Plant production in the nurseries
Identification of a region for development
of an improved gene pool
Selection of 150 superior genotypes
Selection of 50 trees from 150 superior
genotypes
Selection of 15 best trees and grafting
Plantation of the grafted seedlings and
establishment of a clonal orchard
Assessment existing trials in Mali and
Burkina Faso for genetic gain
determination
Analyse of genetic of the different traits
Graftings in farmers fields
2007
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2008
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Guidelines for development of breeding
programmes
2010
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Grafting in the nurseries
Cutting of plus trees (testing methods at the
research stations)
Cutting of plus trees in the farmers fields
2009
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Planning for 2007
Periods
Tasks
Surveys for farmers identification
2007
May - june
June - september
Surveys (participatory rural appraisal),
identification of varieties and fruits sampling
June - september
Agromorphological characterization of
varieties and fruits sampling
September to
Chemical characterization of nuts and pulp
december
June - september
Plant production in the nurseries
Identification of a region for development of August
an improved gene pool
December
Selection of 150 superior genotypes
Assessment existing trials in Mali and
Burkina Faso for genetic gain determination
Graftings in farmers fields
Cutting of plus trees (testing methods at the
research stations)
December
July - august
September