Ability of Haematostaphis barteriHook F. to air layering in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon

Abstract

Haematostaphis barteri is a highly valued wild species of socio-economic interest that is under multifaceted pressure. Indeed, excessive use of this plant leads to a repressive dynamic in its population. The objective of this work is to evaluate the aptitude of Haematostaphis barteri for air layering. The layering technique used consists of girdling the branch in order to remove the bark over a length of 6 or 7cm until the wood appears. Then, the cambium is thoroughly scraped and the phloem is thoroughly removed.Three trials were conducted. The first and second were carried out in august 2023, they consisted of determining the favorable period for air layering by quantifying carbohydrates on the mother plants of the species during the year(trial 1). For experiment two, the substrates used consisted of back soil; the black soil/sawdust mixture (40/60%); the spent grain of traditional beer and the foam.the experimental unit consisted of 10 layers. That is, a total of 120 layers(10 x 4 x 3). The experimental devise used was a completely randomiwed block for the first, two trials. The last experiment was carriedout in june 2024. Thus, using the tailor’s tape, three ranges of branch diameter [2-4[cm; [4-6[cm; [6-8[cmwere examined in the best substrateof the previoustrial. That is, a total of 180 layers (10 x 3 x 2 x 3) were placed. The experiment design used is a Split-plot with 3 repetitions.The results of this study show thatthe quantification of sugars shows that the favorable period for conducting aerial layering of the species is the beginning of the rainy season.Haematostaphis barteri has a good aptitude for air layering. The type of substrate, the diameters of the branches and the aluminium foil have an influence on the rooting rate. The black earth/sawdust mixture with a rate of (63.33±15.27%) is numerically the best rooting substrateand the diameters [4-6]cm and [6-8]cm presented promising results for the same rooting parameter in this species. The aluminium foil improved and protected the sheaths against light rays. These tested parameters are important in developing a domestication strategy for this species.