Genetic diversity of Tamarindus indica populations: Any clues on the origin from its current distribution?

Abstract

Tamarindus indica is a domesticated species of high economic value for the Sahel region. Despite this importance, very few data is available on its diversity as well as its structure leading to controversial
discussions on its origin. Thus it is questionable whether the knowledge of its genetic diversity and organisation may help in identifying the area of its origin. We have studied 10 populations using markers RAPDs with the seeds collected from Asia (India and Thailand), Africa (Burkina Faso, Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania), from three islands (Madagascar, Réunion and Guadeloupe). The results showed that T. indica has a high intra population genetic variability with a higher value obtained in the population from Cameroon. This high intra-population variability did not allow us to determinate the origin of the species. However, if we take into account the paleontological and anthropological results, we can assume that T. indica has an African origin.