Full Length Research Paper

Breeding system and pollination biology of the semi-domesticated fruit tree, Tamarindus indica L. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae): Implications for fruit production, selective breeding, and conservation of genetic resources

Boukary Ousmane Diallo¹*, Doyle Mckey², Marie-Hélène Chevallier³, Hélène I. Joly³ and Martine Hossaert-Mckey²

¹DPF/INERA/CNRST 03 BP 7047 Ouagadougou Burkina Faso.

²CEFE/CNRS 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 5 France.

 ³CIRAD-Forêts TA 10 / C Campus International de Baillarguet 34398, Montpellier Cedex 5 France.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: ousboukdiallo@yahoo.fr. Tel: 226 5° 33 40 98, 226 70 00 51 32/ 76 65 17 06.

Accepted 19 September, 2008

In this paper, we provide data on the breeding system of Tamarindus indica, examining fruit production as well as pollen tube growth under different controlled pollination experiments (open, cross and self pollination). We discuss implications of the results for management for fruit production in Tamarind, conservation of genetic resources and the potential for selective breeding. Observation of the germination and the pollen tubes growth under various pollination modes show that the tamarind is an incompatible species partially. This incompatibility appears at the pre level zygotic (IE on the level of the stigmatic, style and ovary) and post zygotic by the abortion of seeds.  

Keys words: Tamarindus indica, caesalpinioideae, breeding system, self-incompatibility, pollination system.