Stem cuttings assessment for domesticating the medicinal melliferous plant, Combretum micranthum G. Don. in the Republic of Benin

Felicien Amakpe, Dirk C. de Graaf, Brice Sinsin and Honore S. Biaou

Net Journal of Agricultural Science
Published: February 15 2023
Volume 11, Issue 1
Pages 1-12

ABSTRACT

Combretum micranthum is a medicinal and melliferous plant from the dry tropical regions where it is threatened with extinction and it urges to develop suitable methods for its sustainable domestication. The challenges of producing seedlings from the seeds of the species make stem cutting, a potential approach for its domestication and this research evaluated the possibility to use such cuttings for seedlings production at a nursery located in the northern part of the Republic of Benin by determining the most effective season to harvest the stem cuttings, the parts of the branch which could yield the best rate of vigorous seedlings and the optimal transplantation time. An experimental dispositive of 4 plots of 35 cuttings of 25 cm long of the categories named A, B, C and D from the base to the apex of the branch was repeated in two seasons. The first trial consisted of cuttings harvested during the end of the dry season and the second trial was carried out with cuttings that were harvested at the heart of the rainy season. The results showed that the dry season cuttings yielded the best vigorous seedlings rate (46% against only 6% for those harvested in the rainy season). Basal cuttings of the dry season had the best survival rate at 49% while apical cuttings from the same season had the best vigorous seedlings rate at 43% versus 23% for the basal cuttings. Intermediate cuttings yielded low vigorous plantlet rates. The optimum nursery time was 90 days regardless of the harvest season. Dry season stem cuttings, based on basal and apical cuttings were the best approach for domesticating C. micranthum. The technology did not require any root activator and the vigorous seedlings were available during the relevant reforestation rain season.

Keywords: Forestry, medicinal plant, melliferous plant, non-timber product, nursery, seedling, stem cutting.

Full Text PDF