Vegetative Propagation of Hallea stipulosa (DC.) J.-F.Leroy (Rubiaceae) in The Bioclimatic Conditions of Gemena in South Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of regrowth of Hallea stipulosa cuttings on different substrates by vegetative means, a hydrophytic species of the Mombonga and Labo rivers in Gemena (South Ubangi) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). To collect the data a randomized experimental design consisting of four treatments was used, namely: T0 (hydromorphic soil); T1 (dry land soil + potting soil), T2 (hydromorphic soil + potting soil), T3 (dry land soil + dirt) and T4 (sawdust + hydromorphic soil). The study showed that the regrowth rate was 100% six weeks after the experiment while the survival rate was constant for all treatments applied. T3 (dry land soil + dirt) had a survival rate of 100% followed by T4 (sawdust + hydromorphic soil) with 88.9%. The substrates T0, T1 and T2 yielded 77.8%. The survival rate of the seedlings from the 2nd to the 5th week after taking over the cuttings showed a statistically significant difference between the treatments applied (p<0.05). With a survival rate of 88.9%, the average of T4 (sawdust + hydromorphic soil) straddles the gap between these two groups and does not show a significant difference with all treatments. The T3 and T4 substrates (sawdust + hydromorphic soil) thus shorten the duration of cuttings for this plant species. Thus, the domestication of this multifunctional plant can reduce human pressure on natural forests while improving the lives of local communities by creating a productive ecosystem.