Potential germination and initial growth of <i>Sclerocarya birrea</i> (A. Rich.) Hochst, in Niger

Abstract

Objective: The Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) tree is an agroforestry species subjected to various pressures in Niger. A study of potential germination and initial growth of seedlings was conducted in Niamey. The objective of the study was to determine the parameters of seed germination and initial growth of seedlings of this species in order to assess how the findings could help in reforestation in some areas. Methodology: The parameters studied for the germination test were: latency duration, germination capacity and germination speed. Seedling growth study focused on the thrust leaves and root growth rate. Results: The results showed that germination capacity of seeds is 68.33% for a germination period of 30 days. Seedling foliage production is characterized by a rapid growth phase in the number of leaves in the first month (5 leaves) and a slight decrease in the appearance of new leaves in the fourth month (17 leaves). Height growth of seedlings, 30.37 ± 7.09 cm, in the first month is greater than the pivot root, 15.52 ± 3.49 cm (p<0,001). A steady increase of 1.51 ± 0.10 mm per month was observed in basal diameter reaching an average diameter of 8.97 ± 1.49 mm in the fourth month. Conclusion and applicability of the results: This study showed that S. birrea has good potentialities of sexual reproduction with a relatively short latency and good germination capacity. Also, the introduction of this species in reforestation programs offers a solution of sustainable reforestation of the complex of classified forest of Dan Kada Dodo -Dan Gado. Keywords: Sclerocarya birrea, cores, Germination, initial growth, Niger RÉSUMÉ Objectif: Sclerocarya birrea est une espèce agroforestière soumise au Niger à une pression d'exploitation considérable. Une étude des potentialités germinatives et de la croissance initiale des plantules a été conduite à Niamey. L'objectif de l'étude est de préciser les paramètres intervenant dans la germination et la croissance initiale des plantules en vue d'envisager ultérieurement des possibilités de réhabilitation de zones agroforestières. Journal of Applied 6434Méthodologie: Les différents paramètres étudiés pour le test de germination concernent le temps de latence, la durée, la vitesse et la capacité de germination. L'étude de la croissance des plantules a porté sur le rythme de croissance aérienne et racinaire. Résultats: Les résultats obtenus ont révélé que la capacité germinative des graines est de 68, 33 % pour une durée de germination de 30 jours. La production foliaire des plantules est caractérisée par une phase d'évolution rapide du nombre de feuilles lors du premier mois (5 feuilles) pour atteindre 17 feuilles en moyenne au quatrième mois. La croissance en hauteur des plantules (30,37±7,09 cm) au premier mois est plus importante que celle du pivot racinaire (15,52±3,49 cm) (p<0,001). Un accroissement mensuel constant du diamètre au collet de 1,51±0,10 mm est observé pour atteindre un diamètre moyen de 8,97±1,49 mm au 4 e mois. Conclusion et applicabilité des résultats: Cet...

Commercial Harvesting of Marula (Sclerocarya Birrea) in Swaziland: A Quest for Sustainability

“…(in high altitudes) and 40°C (in low altitudes) [9]. Such wide-ranging temperatures are beneficial for marula seed germination, which happens usually at temperatures between 27 and 37°C [19]. The marula tree species is relatively drought-tolerant and grows well in areas that are humid to subhumid with wide-ranging amounts (200-1500 mm) of annual rainfall [18,19].…”

“…The water-filled holes in the trunks of marula trees are very important breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other animals such as amphibians. These interrelationships such as the overbrowsing by animals can destabilize the population structure of marula trees as it affects the growth of marula seedlings and, thus, impacts on its successful regeneration and recruitment potential [19,27,55]. Marula seedlings are also susceptible to fire which also impact on its regeneration potential [23,25].…”

High Dietary Marula (<em>Sclerocarya birrea</em> <em>subsp. caffra</em>) Seed (nut) Cake Induces Detrimental Effects on Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Immuno-Physiology of Broiler Chickens

“…), Anacardiaceae family) seed cake (MSC) is an industrial byproduct (residue) that remains after oil extraction from the seed kernels [20] of fruits fallen from marula trees that are indigenous and abundantly available throughout most of SSA from Niger to South Africa [21][22][23]. In light of predicted future increases in climate changeassociated frequency and severity of droughts in SSA [24,25], MSC is an ideal alternative dietary protein source for broiler and other animal diets instead of SBM as it is produced from marula tree plants that are moderately resistant to drought and wide-ranging environmental temperatures (27 to 37 °C), that promote marula seed germination [26,27], as well as rainfall (400 to 1 000 mm per annum) [28,29]. This feed resource has recently aroused great research interest mainly in Southern Africa due to its high CP (470 g/kg DM) [20,30] and essential amino acid content similarly to SBM, except for lysine, and residual oil rich in the n-9 monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) oleic acid (72% to 85%) [31,32].…”

High dietary marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra) seed (nut) cake induces detrimental effects on performance, carcass characteristics and immuno- physiology of broiler chickens

“…caffra) seed (nut) cake (MSC) is an industrial by-product (residue) that remains after oil extraction from the seed kernels [12] of fruits fallen from marula trees that are indigenous and abundantly available throughout most of SSA from Niger to South Africa [13][14][15]. In light of predicted future increases in climate change associated frequency and severity of droughts in SSA [16,17], MSC is an ideal alternative dietary protein source for broiler and other animal diets instead of SBM as it is produced from marula tree plants that are moderately resistant to drought and wide-ranging environmental temperatures (27 to 37°C), that promote marula seed germination [18,19], as well as rainfall (400 to 1 000 mm per annum) [20,21]. This feed resource has recently aroused great research interest mainly in Southern Africa due to its high CP (470 g/kg DM) and essential amino acid content similarly to SBM, except for lysine, as well as residual oil rich in the n-9 monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) oleic acid (72-85%) [22][23][24].…”