This study was carried out to determine genetic variation patterns among the Acacia albida species from different provenances in Africa. A wide genetic base would offer tree breeders a large amount of material from which to select and manipulate through breeding for genotypes that suit particular environmental conditions. Seeds of the species were collected from twenty provenances around Africa and seedlings raised in Canberra, Australia, and various traits measured over a six months period. Patterns were observed in the data set. Groups of countries with Acacia albida populations sharing the same genetic patterns (characteristics) were produced using the principal component analysis. Three groups of Acacia albida were obtained: the species that belong to Southern Africa, West Africa and Northeast Africa. The three groups obtained show some relationship with the phytogeogrgphy regions of Africa. However, the population within each group obtained are not compacted, which implies that they may still be some significant variation within each group. This paper therefore recommends that genetic patterns on Acacia albida at a local level should be further investigated.
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