Guidawa Fawa, Pierre Marie Mapongmetsem, Obadia Tchingsabe, David Doumara Nicolas Nenbe and Adoum Dona
Lophira lanceolata is a multipurpose tree species (MPTS) valued by the populations for its various uses. In the Guinean Savannah Highlands of Cameroon, this species is threatened due to human pressure which affects its regeneration potential. In order to contribute to its domestication, the present work characterizes its natural regeneration and artificial root suckering aptitude. Survey was carried out on 20 square plots of 1ha each established in savannah to evaluate relative frequency of adult trees which produced suckers. Artificial root suckering induction trials by simple wound and by complete sectioning were undertaking on superficial roots in the study period (April-January 2012) on 176 adult trees of different ages. An inventory of 824 trees of L. lanceolata was carried out among which 98 mother -trees kept 147 natural suckers. For the artificial root suckering, 156 artificial suckers were recorded ten months after the initiation of the trials. The complete artificial root sectioning was more efficient (73.33%) than the simple injury (65%). Among the two types of induction, the roots exposed to the open air presented a successful percentage than the one covered by soil. Induced suckers mostly appeared in distal pole of the mother - root. In L. lanceolata, roots induced by simple wound and leave to open air, allowed 63.33% of suckers against 58.33% developed in roots covered with soil. There was a significant difference between distal and proximal suckers (0.0000<0.001). This Ochnaceae presented a good aptitude to artificial suckering. This ability to regenerate by root suckering indicated that it is possible to domesticate the species in situ. Nevertheless, during our observations, none of the suckers initiated its own rooting system. This low cost technique could constitute an important step in the domestication process of this species. Complementary studies needed to be conducted for a long observation periods which can allow precise vigorous root neoformation permitting self dependence from the mother tree and important growth of suckers.
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