RESUMELa présente étude menée dans la région de Maradi (Niger), plus précisément dans le sud du département d'Aguié, vise à recenser et à classer les différents usages de Prosopis africana. La méthode de collecte des informations s'est appuyée sur une enquête ethnobotanique au niveau des ménages. Les résultats de ces investigations révèlent que les principaux usages faits de Prosopis africana dans cette zone sont l'alimentation humaine, le fourrage, le bois énergie, la pharmacopée traditionnelle, le bois d'artisanat et de service. Parmi ceux-ci, les deux (2) derniers sont les plus importants et portent sérieusement atteinte à l'état sanitaire des individus végétaux. La cueillette, bien que moins pratiquée que ces deux (2), n'est pas moins importante à cause de son impact sur la régénération en diminuant le stock des semences.

All parts of Prosopis africana are used by rural people in Niger, and this exposes it to degradation and a regeneration problems. The objective of this study was to determine the structure and regeneration of P. africana stands in the southern regions of Maradi and Zinder, Niger. Data were collected in plots, following transects after stratified sampling. Trunk diameter of all woody species was recorded in 126 plots. The diversity was analyzed and diameter structure and regeneration rates were determined. P. africana was the predominant species in both Maradi and Zinder: frequency = 40.35% and 43.95% of all species, respectively in Maradi and Zinder; importance value index = 40.57% in Maradi and 48.60% in Zinder. The Shannon diversity index was 2.82 in Maradi and 2.40 in Zinder and the Sorensen similarity index between the two regions was 0.73. According to the diameter structure, the stands were degraded in Zinder but regenerating in Maradi. The density of P. africana per hectare for trees with trunk diameter > 5 cm and < 5 cm, respectively was 16 and 51 in Maradi, and 30 and 12 in Zinder. The regeneration rate of P. africana was low compared with the general woody population. These results show the need for reforestation operations, using appropriate techniques, to avoid local extinction of the species.

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. is a fruit species from the Sahelian and Sudano-sahelian zones, highly appreciated by the population. It provides a source of income for the rural population and its various parts are used for human and animal food, handicrafts and traditional medicine. However, the lack of data on propagation techniques of the species is a significant limitation to its domestication. This study aims to evaluate the vegetative propagation capacity of Balanites aegyptiaca by air layering. The trials were conducted in the Arboretum of Sahara Sahel Foods in Zinder, Niger. The layers were placed on orthotropic branches. The variables selected were the diameter class (1-2 cm, 2-3 cm and 3-4 cm) and the substrates (sand+manure, sand+sawdust and sand). A total of 116 layers were made. The results show that 93.1% of the layers have taken root two months after realization. The diameter classes and the three substrates have no significant influence on the number of roots. In contrast, root length varied significantly with substrates (P = 0.000) and branch diameter classes (P = 0.031). As for the diameter of the newly formed roots, a significant difference was observed between the diameter classes and the substrates have no significant effect on this parameter. One month after weaning of layers, an average survival rate of 68.5% was obtained. The seedlings of the diameter class 2-3 cm have the highest survival rate (83.1%). These results suggest that it is possible to produce Balanites aegyptiaca plants by air layering, and could contribute to the development of strategies adapted to its domestication.

Balanites aegyptiaca est l'une des plantes à usages multiples au Niger très appréciée par les populations. Cette étude conduite au Centre Régional de Recherche Agronomique de Zinder, vise à étudier la germination et l'évolution des plantules de cette espèce. Les essais de germination ont été effectués dans des planches rectangulaires sur six types de traitements pendant 3 mois et le suivi de croissance des plantules dans des pots plastiques enfouis dans le sol pendant 6 mois. L'étude a montré que l'ingestion des fruits de Balanites aegyptiaca par les chèvres réduit significativement la dormance tégumentaire. Les graines extraites des noyaux qui ont transité par le tractus digestif des chèvres ont le taux de germination le plus élevé (76,87%) et le taux de germination le plus faible a été obtenu avec les fruits entiers (38,12%). Après 6 mois de suivi, la croissance du pivot racinaire des plantules (78,59±9,04 cm) est plus importante que celle de la partie aérienne (61,8±6,2 cm). Cette étude permet d'envisager la production des plants de Balanites aegyptiaca en vue de sa conservation durable.

Baggnian et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2018 Étude ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales vendues sur les marchés du centre ouest du Niger. Baggnian et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2018 Étude ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales vendues sur les marchés du centre ouest du Niger. 13393 ABSTRACT Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants sold in the markets of central western Niger Objective : This ethnobotanical study was conducted at the Tahoua region with the aim of capitalizing endogenous knowledge of traditional healers on the different uses of plant species sold in markets. Methodology: Ethnobotanical surveys using individual interviews on the sale of medicinal plants were conducted from June 2017 to April 2018 among 44 vendors and vendors in 44 weekly rural markets in west-central Niger (Tahoua Region).Results: The study identified a total of 49 species in 40 genera and 28 families. Of the 49 species identified in the markets, 28 can be found in the study area or 57.14%. Also, 15 of these 28 species are the most sold and 18 are increasingly rare according to the traditional healers surveyed. Also, the results of the study showed that the bark in the woody and the whole plant in the herbaceous are the most used. For the most part, the remedies are prepared as a decoction. Conclusion and application of results: The almost exclusive use of local populations to medicinal plant species in their daily care increases the pressure on medicinal resources that can lead to the disappearance of certain species. It is therefore necessary and urgent to consider the substitution of certain parts of the plant and the planting of exploited species.