Population Genetic Studies using SNP Markers Reveal Genetic Affinities, Population Fragmentation, Genetic Erosion, and Dispersion Pathway of African Baobab (Adansonia digitata)

The African baobab (Adansonia digitata) is an iconic tree found all over sub-Saharan Africa. It is an important agroforestry tree because of its livelihood, nutritional, and agroecological benefits, which largely remain neglected, scientifically orphaned, uncultivated, and undomesticated. This study was conducted to understand the extent, distribution, and quality of baobab genetic diversity in three major geographical zones in Africa: the west (Mali, 93 samples), the south (Zambia, 56 samples), and the east (Tanzania-Zanzibar and Kenya, 171 samples).