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Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences - Vol. 12, No. 6
Publication Date: December 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/dafs.126.17839.
De Dieu, W. J., Yougouda, H., Guidawa, F., Jean-Baptiste, B., Rodrigue, M. A. D., Hervé, A. E. J., Parfait, W. S. D., Zéphirin, O. H.,
Herbert, A., & Marie, M. P. (2024). Influence of Substrate and Length on The Ability of Root Segments Cuttings of Amblygonocarpus
andongensis (Welw. ex Oliv.) Exell & Torre to Regenerate. Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 12(6). 56-71.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Influence of Substrate and Length on The Ability of Root
Segments Cuttings of Amblygonocarpus andongensis
(Welw. ex Oliv.) Exell & Torre to Regenerate
Wangbitching Jean De Dieu
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
University of Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454 Ngaoundéré-Cameroon
Hamawa Yougouda
Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Derived Products,
The Higher National Polytechnic College, University of Maroua,
Maroua, Cameroon
Fawa Guidawa
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
University of Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454 Ngaoundéré-Cameroon
Binwe Jean-Baptiste
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
University of Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454 Ngaoundéré-Cameroon
Madi Ameti Damba Rodrigue
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
University of Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454 Ngaoundéré-Cameroon
Apana Ewodo Joseph Hervé
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
University of Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454 Ngaoundéré-Cameroon
Wamba Sopgou Dongmo Parfait
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
University of Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454 Ngaoundéré-Cameroon
Oumarou Haman Zéphirin
Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
University of Bamenda, B.P. 39 Bambili-Cameroon
Abdoulaye Herbert
Forestry Department, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Dschang, B.P. 96 Dschang-Cameroon
Mapongmetsem Pierre Marie
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences,
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De Dieu, W. J., Yougouda, H., Guidawa, F., Jean-Baptiste, B., Rodrigue, M. A. D., Hervé, A. E. J., Parfait, W. S. D., Zéphirin, O. H., Herbert, A., & Marie,
M. P. (2024). Influence of Substrate and Length on The Ability of Root Segments Cuttings of Amblygonocarpus andongensis (Welw. ex Oliv.) Exell &
Torre to Regenerate. Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 12(6). 56-71.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/dafs.126.17839
University of Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454 Ngaoundéré-Cameroon
ABSTRACT
Background: The Guinean Savanah Highlands of Adamawa is replete with
multipurpose tree species, among which Ambligonocarpus andongensis is
particularly noteworthy. This species is widely known and appreciated by the local
population. Despite its importance, it remains in the wild and is subjected to
overexploitation. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of
substrate and length of cuttings on the budding and rooting capacity of this species.
Methods/The experimental design was a split-plot with three replications. The
main treatment comprised three substrates (sand/sawdust, black soil/sawdust,
black soil), while the sub-treatments were represented by three lengths of root
segments cuttings (RSC) (10,15,20cm). The experimental unit consisted of 10
cuttings. Following 37 weeks of monitoring, the budding rates demonstrated
fluctuations, with the rates of 12.22 ± 10.92% observed in black soil and 32.22 ±
18.55% in sand/sawdust mixture. The analysis of variance indicated a significant
difference between the substrate (0,005 < 0.01). For the length of cuttings, the
budding rates exhibited significant fluctuations (0.001< 0.01), with the lowest rate
observed for cutting of 10 cm (11.11 ± 10.86%), and the highest observed for those
of 20 cm (42.22 ± 25.87%). The height of the leafy shoots revealed variations, with
a mean value of 3.38 ± 3.09 cm in the black soil and a maximum value of 9.2 ± 7.10
cm in the black soil/sawdust substrate. The analysis of variance indicated a
significant difference (0.03 > 0.05). The rooting rate varied significantly from
1.11±0.96% in the black soil to 12.22±12.01% in the sand/sawdust mixture (0.005
< 0.01) and for the length it also significantly fluctuated from 2.22±1.96% for
cuttings of 10 cm to 15.55±13.33% for those of 20 cm (0.001 < 0.01). All these
informations are important to develop scales and strategies toward the
domestication of this species.
Keywords: Amblygonocarpus andongensis, Bud, Guinea savannah highlands, RSC, Root,
vegetative propagation.
INTRODUCTION
Amblygonocarpus andongensis, known as yaké in Fulani, belongs to the Fabaceae family, is a
widespread species in Tropical Africa. The wood is durable and termite-resistant, charcoal
made from it is considered excellent for iron-forge work [1]. Roasted seeds are eaten. Boiled
and fermented seeds are used as a spice locally known as ‘’Dadawa’’ [2]. The inner bark and
roots are poisonous [3], but medicinal uses have been recorded in them. Nwinyi et al. (2006)
[4] reported that A. andongensis is ethnomedicinally used in Northern Nigeria for the relief of
pain. According to [5], a decoction prepared from roots is used to treat food poisoning and
against colic, cough and as a vermifuge. Anthropic pressures are causing the rapid spread of
many forest species, resulting in the depletion of timber and non-timber forest products [6]. It
is therefore essential to preserve local species of socio-economic interest not only in forest
reserves but even more in agropastoral systems close to users [7]. To keep off pressure on
useful natural resources, domestication and promotion of Agroforestry have been practiced by
local communities as an immediate and affordable option in developing countries. Sexual
reproduction is the main technique used for the propagation of timber, and the richness of the
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Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences (DAFS) Vol 12, Issue 6, December- 2024
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
biodiversity [8,7]. Germination conditions and development of trees are very poor in dry
tropical Savannah [9,10]. Subsequently, seed multiplication remains uncertain for many rural
communities in Africa that do not have sufficient seed resources or financial means and
sometimes because of ants, birds and animal attacks [7]. Vegetative propagation, which is faster
and less costly [11], appears to be an adaptive strategy of these species to environmental
disturbances and climatic contingencies [12,13], by capturing germplasm from the wild for
purposes of its domestication, conservation and continuous availability to the community. It
copies parental genes and has the following advantages: rapid plant production, precocious
fructification and reduction of the size of individuals [14,7 ,15]. The main objective of this work
is to contribute to the domestication of this species in order to protect and introduce them in
existing farmer's production systems. Specifically
• evaluate the effect of substrate on the budding and rooting ability;
• assess the effect of cutting length on the budding and rooting ability
MATERIELS AND METHOD
Study Site Description
The study was conducted in the Guinean savannah highlands of Adamawa, situated between 6°
and 8° North latitude and 11° 30' and 15° 30' East longitude. The zone is demarcated by two
boundaries. The northern boundary is formed by the Sudanese savannah, while the southern
boundary is demarcated by the semi-deciduous guinean forest. The area is characterised by
shrubland and/or tree savannah, with a dominant presence of Daniellia oliveri and Lophira
lanceolata [16]. The evolution of the vegetation is significantly influenced by human activities
[17]. The region is characterised by a guinean climate, comprising two distinct seasons: a rainy
season from April to October and a dry season from November to March (MINEF, 1994) [18].
The area is home to numerous ethnic groups, including the Fulani, Mboums, Pères, Koutines,
Haoussas, Niza’as, and Dourous [18]. The soil is characterized by a red ferritic structure
developed on old basalt [19].
Description of the Nursery and The Non-Mist Propagator
The cutting trials were conducted in a non-mist propagator situated at the nursery of the
Laboratory of Ecology and Sustainable Development of the University of Ngaoundere, located
in close proximity to the Bini River. The non-mist propagators are situated beneath a sheet
shed, which provides shade. Six transparent sheet sheds are positioned within the roof to filter
the light. Each non-mist propagator is constructed from local materials and is shaped like a
parallelepiped, subdivided into three compartments. The frame is made of wood and covered
with transparent polyethylene, which ensures favourable conditions for the development of
cuttings. The relative humidity in the non-mist propagators is between 80 and 100%, while the
temperature varies from 23 to 28 °C [20]. The internal configuration of the non-mist
propagators comprises the following layers, from the bottom to the top : a thin layer of fine
sand, large pebbles, medium pebbles, gravel, sand and finally rooting substrates [2]. A PVC pipe
is fixed to the corner of the non-mist propagators to facilitate regular gauging of the water level.
Methodology
The preliminary phase of the study involved the partial and safety excavation of the root
systems of 15 adult trees in the first hour of the morning, a period when the cells are still turgid.
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De Dieu, W. J., Yougouda, H., Guidawa, F., Jean-Baptiste, B., Rodrigue, M. A. D., Hervé, A. E. J., Parfait, W. S. D., Zéphirin, O. H., Herbert, A., & Marie,
M. P. (2024). Influence of Substrate and Length on The Ability of Root Segments Cuttings of Amblygonocarpus andongensis (Welw. ex Oliv.) Exell &
Torre to Regenerate. Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 12(6). 56-71.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/dafs.126.17839
The excavation process was conducted in Nyambaka. Following the excavation process, the
cuttings segments were placed in a cooler containing an ice block in order to reduce the risk of
deshydration [21,20]. Upon arrival at the nursery of the Laboratory of Ecology and Sustainable
Development of the University of Ngaoundere, the cuttings segments were trimmed to three
distinct lengths: 10, 15, and 20 cm (Fig. 1) and marked at the proximal end, then inserted
vertically in the non-mist propagator. The different substrates had already been prepared and
were of three kinds (sand/sawdust, black soil/sawdust and black soil).
Figure 1: different length of cuttings
For the mixture of sand and sawdust and the mixture of black soil and sawdust, the substrates
were prepared in a 50:50%. Approximately 1 cm of the proximal end of the cuttings was left
exposed beyond the substrate. The sawdust was sourced from a local sawmill and allowed to
decompose. The black soil was obtained from the nursery, while the sand was collected from
the river in the vicinity of Ndom, in close proximity to the cliffs of Ngaoundere. The
experimental design was a split plot of three replications, with the primary treatment being the
substrate and the secondary treatment, the length of root segments cuttings. The experimental
unit was composed of 10 cuttings.
Collection and Data Analysis
Data were collected on a weekly basis in order to monitor the budding process (from the date
of appearance of the first bud) and at the end of the experiment in order to assess the rooting
success. The data set comprised the following variables: the number of cuttings that exhibited
budding, the number of leafy axes, the height of the leafy axes, the number of leaves per shoot,
the number of rooted cuttings, the number of roots per cutting, and the length of adventitious
roots. Furthermore, the aforementioned growth parameters were evaluated at the end of the
experimental period. A root segment cutting (RSC) is deemed to have successfully rooted if the
length of the root is equal to or greater than 1 cm. In the event that this criterion is not met, the
cutting is returned to the substrate [22]. The rooted cuttings were transferred to pots for
acclimatitation. The data collected were subjected to an analysis of variance. Significant means