Vegetative propagation by root and stem cuttings of Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne., an edible Sahelian Liana in Niger

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities of the propagation of Leptadenia hastata cuttings during the 3 seasons of the year in Sahel. The cuttings of 20 cm of length, collected from the basal, apical and root parts of the plants, were used. Study investigations consisted in observing the buds and leaves appearance on different types of cuttings. The root system was assessed at the end of each experiment and consisted in rootlets counting. The recovery period differs according to the cuttings types and the periods. During the hot, dry season and the rainy season, the apical cuttings began to bud from the fourth (4^th) day, whereas it took 9 days in the cold, dry season. During this last period, cuttings from the root and the basal parts emitted their first bud only from the 13^th day after planting. The budding period also depends on the cuttings type and the period. For all the periods, it was relatively shorter for the cuttings from root and basal stem segments and longer for those of the apical part. The recovery rate of cuttings was quite low during the hot, dry period (less than 50%). Apical, basal and root part cuttings recorded, respectively, a recovery rate of about 40.33%, 8.00% and 4.01%. The highest recovery rates were recorded with the stem cuttings of the apical part in cold, dry period (75.33%) and in that of the rainy one (91.67%). In order to promote the implantation of a food bank based on this liana in the context of seed scarcity, the use of cuttings of the apical part prove to be an ideal solution.

Keywords: Cutting, Leptadenia hastata, Niger, recovery period, recovery rate