Introduction. Shea tree (V.
paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.), a species endemic to the Sudanian
savanna woodlands, is dominant in the parklands of West Africa where
it is of great socioeconomic importance. However, shea tree has
been reported in recent decades to be threatened by plant parasites,
Loranthaceae. Our study aimed to assess possible variation of the
impact of these parasites on shea tree fruit yield in two contrasting
habitats. Materials and methods. We selected 41 weakly
and 41 heavily infected shea tree individuals, of similar size,
in a protected area as well as in its adjacent parklands. Shea tree
traits such as diameter at breast height, canopy diameter, tree
height, canopy height, number of fruit yielded, number of parasite stumps
per tree and an impact index ratio were assessed on each shea tree
individual. Two-way ANOVA was performed to compare parasite impact
on shea tree fruit yield in relation to habitat. Hierarchical cluster, canonical
discriminant and one-way ANOVA analyses were used to show quantitative
traits that characterize shea tree groups from habitats. Results.
Loranthaceae did not reduce fruit yield significantly either in
the parklands or in the protected area. Quantitative traits tended
to discriminate all pooled shea trees in relation to habitats. Shea
tree individuals in parklands were characterized mostly by the highest
value of number of infected stumps per tree and of the impact index ratio,
suggesting that many shea tree individuals in parklands were sensitive
to Loranthaceae impact on their fruit yield. Conclusion.
These findings were helpful for implementing some shea tree conservation
plans.