Non-native species impact tropical ecosystems, but the role of different anthropogenic disturbances on the success of non-natives remains unclear, especially in island tropical forests. We sought to understand the influence of anthropogenic habitat degradation and disturbance on non-native plant species in Madagascar. Specifically, we evaluated how densities of non-native species of woody shrub (Lantana camara), climber (Mucuna pruriens) and tree (Mangifera indica, Albizia lebbeck, Tamarindus indica) varied with forest habitat degradation and by disturbance type. We surveyed 60400 m2, recording 482 instances of disturbance and 903 non-native plants in and around the Ankarana National Park. Non-native plant densities were higher in degraded than primary forest. Within degraded forest, densities of non-native trees increased with disturbance. Tree densities correlated with extent of tree damage only in Tamarindus indica, never correlated with extent of tree removal, and always correlated with proximity to roads and trails. Our results suggest roads and trails have relatively greater importance in facilitating the success of non-native tree species than structural changes to habitat. In contrast, densities of Lantana camara and Tamarindus indica did not correlate with any measured type of disturbance; other unmeasured or historical factors may be more important drivers of these smaller, faster-reproducing species.

Abstract – Introduction. The Cerrado is a Brazilian biome that has a largeplant heterogeneity. Among the fruit species of the Cerrado, the tamarind stands out dueto its economic potential and use in human feeding. Our study evaluated the physical andphysicochemical characteristics, and occurrence and content of vitamin C, carotenoids,vitamin E and folates in tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) from the Cerradoof Minas Gerais, Brazil. Materials and methods. The length, diameter, massand fruit yield of tamarind were evaluated. Titratable acidity was determined byvolumetric neutralization, pH by potentiometry, soluble solids by refractometry, moistureusing an oven, ash using a muffle furnace, protein by the micro-Kjeldhal method, totaldietary fiber by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method, and lipids with a Soxhletextractor. Vitamin C and carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, and vitamin E and folatesby HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results and discussion. Tamarind pulp iscomposed mainly of carbohydrates (50.07 g·100 g–1) and moisture (35.29 g·100 g–1); it canbe considered a good source of dietary fiber (4.13 g·100 g–1). The pH, titratable acidityand soluble solids are 2.95, 18.52 g tartaric acid·100 g–1 and 44.00 °Brix, respectively.Contents of vitamin C (4.79 mg·100 g–1) and folates (59.35 µg·100 g–1) in the tamarind arehigher than those observed in traditional fruits. However, the fruit presents low vitaminE content (108.78 µg·100 g–1). Conclusion. The tamarind stands out due to itsnutritional value, being a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, and an excellentsource of folates.

Introduction. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) is a multipurpose, tropical fruit tree originating in Africa. Although the main commercial production of tamarind fruits takes place in Asia and America, tamarind plays an essential subsistence role in rural West Africa. This study highlights the importance of tamarind in traditional diets of rural communities in Benin, Mali and Senegal. Methods. Ethnobotanical field data was gathered through structured individual interviews, semi-structured group discussions, agricultural calendars and participatory mapping with 220 informants of eleven ethnic groups across four agroecological zones. Data was processed by quantitative and qualitative analytical methods. Results. Tamarind adds vitamins and minerals, as well as the traditionally appreciated sour taste, to drinks and meals. It is consumed daily and year-round by many rural West Africans. Ethnic similarities and differences in food use patterns of tamarind highlight the importance of tamarind in West African subsistence. The results include detailed descriptions of tamarind processing and traditional meal preparations of tamarind fruits, seeds, flowers and leaves. Conclusions. Documentation of local knowledge on tamarind processing and uses is needed to assist local and regional promotion and domestication efforts of tamarind to prevent a further decline in tamarind tree populations. High local use and demand for tamarind fruits and leaves in subsistence should stimulate the development of sustainable production as well as conservation efforts, in order to secure a continued harvest and satisfy local demand for this important traditional food in the future

Introduction. There has been increasing interest in the domestication potential of indigenous fruit trees. Nevertheless, our understanding of how these species’ abundance and yield of fruit is altered by ecological conditions, which is critical to foresee realistic sustainable management plans, is limited. Materials and methods. We used local ecological knowledge, presence / absence data and quantitative methods to examine the effect of ecological conditions on the distribution, abundance and yields of tamarind trees (T. indica) across three ecological regions in Benin, West Africa. Results and discussion. Rural communities’ knowledge on the species’ ecological range was congruent with scientific findings. The natural distribution of tamarind individuals was limited to the Sudanian and the Sudano-Guinean regions and their density declined with increasing moisture, being highest (2 trees·km-2) in the Sudanian region and lowest in the Guineo-Congolian region (scarce). On the other hand, fruit and pulp mass and number of seeds per fruit varied significantly, being higher in the Guineo-Congolian wetter region. However, no significant variation occurred among ecological regions for estimated overall fruit yields per tree. This might indicate that tamarind trees tend to invest in a small number of very large fruits under wetter conditions and a very large number of small fruits under dryer conditions. Conclusion. The results showed that semi-arid lands would best suit T. indica domestication. Nevertheless, its productivity could be higher under wetter conditions. Because of its affinity for gallery forests, we recommend thorough studies on its capacity to survive the increasing drought in its current ecological range.

Introduction. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) belongs to the Fabaceae family; it is a multipurpose tree with slow growth. In order to help improve its growth and development, we assessed mycorrhizal diversity of tamarind parklands in Senegal. Materials and methods. Three sites of tamarind populations were sampled for each agro-ecological zone in Senegal: the Sahelian zone (i), Sahelo-Sudan zone (ii) and Sudan zone (iii). Soil and root samples were collected in each site and used for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) spore isolation and root colonization assessment. We identified the mycorrhizal fungi from spore collections and evaluated the root mycorrhization rate, defined as percentage of roots colonized according to agro-ecological zones. Results and discussion. The results did not reveal a specific AM fungal strain associated with tamarind plants. Three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were identified from spores on the genus level: Glomus, Scutellospora and Acaulospora. Tamarind sites with sandy soil texture (70–90%) and located in dry areas (Sahel and Sudano-Sahel zones) were shown to be rich in mycorrhizal propagules. High densities of soil AM propagules evaluated with the Most Probable Number method (MPN) were found in Niokhoul (1100 propagules per 50 g of soil), Sakal (790 propagules per 50 g of soil) and Mbassis (780 propagules per 50 g of soil). However, higher mycorrhizal colonization (11%) was observed in the Sahel agro-ecological zone compared with the Sudano-Sahelian and Sahelian zones (3%) of Senegal. Conclusion. Our study explored natural AMF diversity as a starting point to develop inocula to be used in commercial nursery production of tamarinds.

Introduction. Tamarindus indica est une espèce fruitièred’intérêt économique. Sa domestication au Sahel impose d’évaluer en préalable lavariabilité de ses caractères phénotypiques sur l’ensemble de son aire de répartition.L’objectif de notre étude a été de caractériser différentes provenances de tamarinier àpartir des caractères phénotypiques de leurs graines et plantules. Matériel etméthodes. L’étude menée en pépinière au Burkina Faso a porté sur l’étude desgraines et germinations issues de neuf provenances dont deux d’Afrique de l’Est, deuxd’Afrique de l’Ouest, deux d’Asie et trois de zones insulaires. Nous avons mesuré lalongueur, la largeur, l’épaisseur et le poids de 100 graines de chaque provenance, et lahauteur, le diamètre au collet et le poids sec de la tige, ainsi que la longueur de laracine principale, le nombre de racines secondaires et le poids sec du système racinairede 50 plantules âgées de 3 mois. Nous avons effectué une analyse de variance, puis uneanalyse en composantes principales sur les données centrées réduites de toutes lesvariables, enfin une classification hiérarchisée ascendante basée sur des indices desimilarité. Résultats et discussion. Les différences entre variables ont étéhautement significatives. Lors de l’étude des graines, nous avons obtenu un groupe lié àla provenance d’Inde et d’Afrique de l’Est, un autre lié aux provenances ouest-africaineset un groupe intermédiaire en provenance de Thaïlande. Lors de l’étude des plantules, ilest apparu un groupe avec croissance aérienne forte et racine principale courte, fortementramifiée et un groupe avec croissance aérienne faible, racine principale très longue, maisfaiblement ramifiée. Le dendrogramme obtenu à partir des ressemblances phénotypiques(variables des graines et plantules) montre une structuration par aire géographique.Conclusion. La variabilité phénotypique inter provenance des plantules etdes graines combinée aux corrélations entre variables pourrait permettre de sélectionnerde façon précoce les provenances en fonction des objectifs définis pour la sélection.

Introduction. The conservation status of many wild fruit tree species that support rural people in Africa remains poorly documented despite its importance for their management. We compared the viability of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) populations, a dry land species that has nutritional, medicinal and cultural importance for rural communities, under different human-pressure levels. Materials and methods. The data relative to the tree diameter and height as well as the number of adults and stems were collected in plots of inventory and made it possible to calculate the dendrometric parameters for each targeted population, and to establish their diameter distribution. The dendrometric characteristics were analyzed by using nonparametric tests and the diameter distribution was adjusted to a truncated normal distribution. Results and discussion. Numbers of mature tamarind trees per hectare and regeneration (expressed as stem·ha–1) were relatively low, suggesting tamarind populations may not be self-rejuvenating. Nonetheless, significant variation occurred between habitat types (P < 0.001). Mature tree density in gallery forests [(18.2 ± 10.1) trees·ha–1] was three to eight times higher than that of savannah woodlands [(5 ± 4.5) trees·ha–1] and farmlands [(2.5 ± 0.4) trees·ha–1]. Young plants followed the same trend, with (11.2 ± 9.3) plants·ha–1, (1.1 ± 0.6) plants·ha–1, and 0.00 plants·ha–1, respectively. Diameter size class distributions departed from normality (P < 0.0001) and coefficient of skewness was positive irrespective of habitat type, indicating declining populations. However, median diameter values would suggest the species’ populations in farmlands and savannah woodlands to be more vulnerable than those occurring in gallery forests. These findings would suggest that gallery forests best suit tamarind in situ conservation. The observed severe reduction of trees and juveniles in farmlands and woodlands may negatively impact the long-term viability of tamarind populations. Juveniles’ introduction into farmlands may be needed to ensure conservation in agroforestry systems.

Introduction. Adansonia digitata L., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. et Tamarindus indica L. figurent parmi les espèces fruitières de cueillette les plus appréciées par les populations sahélo soudaniennes. Leur rôle sur le plan nutritionnel et sur la génération de revenus est important. La dégradation des écosystèmes constitue une menace sur la ressource en fruits de cueillette et sur la diversité génétique de ces espèces. La première étape du programme de domestication mis en œuvre au Sénégal consiste à en caractériser la variabilité naturelle, dans le cadre d’une démarche participative visant la sélection d’accessions intéressantes pour la qualité des fruits. L’objet de cette étude a été de comparer, pour chacune des espèces, les fruits de différentes accessions. Matériel et méthodes. Les analyses ont porté sur une caractérisation biométrique des fruits, complétée par une analyse chimique sommaire (eau, sucres solubles totaux, acidité libre totale). Résultats et discussion. Pour la totalité des critères étudiés, l’exploitation des données a montré des différences significatives entre les accessions au sein de chaque espèce. Pour les caractères biométriques, un gradient décroissant de variabilité apparaît selon la séquence : Adansonia vers Tamarindus vers Balanites. Le critère de « valeur réelle de la pulpe » a permis de cibler des accessions plus intéressantes que d’autres. Les caractères chimiques ont présenté une moindre variabilité. Conclusions. Les différentes accessions étudiées présentent une variabilité exploitable pour la diffusion aux populations locales de variétés performantes d’espèces fruitières répondant à leurs besoins et à leurs moyens.