Infodoc : Sciences, Techniques et Culture

Various regeneration modes of Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel. and Combretum micranthum G. Don, two species which are economically important and widespread in West African stripped bushes and fallows, are being studied in Burkina Faso and Niger. Production following natural seeding is most of the time compromised by climatic factors. Very often however, roots are produced by low branches of elder trees in continuous contact with the soil during the short wet season. The rate of this 'tip-layering method' (terrestrial layering) changes according to the species, the micro-topography and type of land cultivation. Terrestrial layering is increased by plagiotropic branches, especially on steep slopes. Various traumatisms, such as broken branches, camber arcures, soil recovering by sediment, [...]

Various regeneration modes of Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel. and Combretum micranthum G. Don, two species which are economically important and widespread in West African stripped bushes and fallows, are being studied in Burkina Faso and Niger. Production following natural seeding is most of the time compromised by climatic factors. Very often however, roots are produced by low branches of elder trees in continuous contact with the soil during the short wet season. The rate of this 'tip-layering method' (terrestrial layering) changes according to the species, the micro-topography and type of land cultivation. Terrestrial layering is increased by plagiotropic branches, especially on steep slopes. Various traumatisms, such as broken branches, camber arcures, soil recovering by sediment, can stimulate it. Given these first empirical results, it would be interesting to test the of induction terrestrial layering, particulary in these two species (in order to apply
it afterwards to other species). This mode of propagation allows the genetic potential to be preserved and tree density as well as the production of wood and woodland co-products to be increased at a very low cost. In semiarid areas, this 'revegetalisation' method using vegetative propagation through terrestrial layering in particular, seems cheaper and much more time-saving than other techniques such as artificial seeding or planting, for instance. Moreover, it is replicable, in keeping with the habits of local communities.