Vegetative propagation by aerial layering of pterocarpuserinaceus: in the sudanian zone

Author: 
Habou Rabiou, Babou André Bationo, Abdou Laouali, KossiNovinyo Segla, Kossi Adjonou, Adzo Dzifa Kokutse, Ali Mahamane and Kouami Kokou

Researches on the development of vegetative propagation techniques have been carried out on Pterocarpuserinaceus trees in Burkina Faso. The objective of the study is to develop low cost production techniques of plants by air layering. It is specifically to highlight the diameter of the branch, the positions of the layers on the branch and the frequencies of watering which optimize the rooting rate of the layers. Two trials were carried out in rainy seasons in Saria, Burkina Faso, on a 10-year-old P. erinaceus plantation, where the mean height was 10.7 ± 2.5 m. A device with two treatments has been set up. This involves making air layer at 3 different positions of the branch (apical, median and maximum) and for each position, to consider three (3) classes of diameter. The first trial, set up in 2013, consists of 126 air layers with 3 positions on the branches and 3 classes of diameter per position. The secondtrial, set up in 2014, is composed of 100 air layers with 3 positions on the branches and 2 classes of diameter per position. Air layers were watered every 20 days and weekly during the first and second trial respectively. After two months of monitoring, the air layers were unpacked and the appeared roots were measured. The results show that the rooting rate is higher in the proximal air layers with a diameter between 2 and 3 cm (76.4%), followed by the laying of the medial position with a diameter between 1 and 2 cm (52 , 9%). The supply of a quantity of water of 40 ml every week is the frequency of watering which optimizes the rate of rooting. Air layering is an alternative way for the production of P.erinaceus plants.

Paper No: 
1525