Nursery substrates and provenances influence rooting performance of juvenile, single-node vine cuttings of Gnetum africanum Welw. (Gnetaceae)

• Main Authors: Apollinaire Biloso, Claude Akalakou, Joseph Mafolo, Roseline Gusua Caspa, Alain Tsobeng, Lazare Kouodiekong, Zacharie Tchoundjeu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gents Afrika Platform, Afrika Brug 2014-12-01
• Series: Afrika Focus
• Subjects: domestication; rooting substrate; non-mist propagator; vine cuttings
• Online Access: http://www.gap.ugent.be/africafocus/pdf/2014Vol27_Special Agroforestry Issue_Caspa.pdf

Gnetum africanum Welw. (Gnetaceae) is a forest vine that is highly valued for its leaves which are a source of food and income. Because wild populations are threatened by over-harvesting, there is an increasing need to cultivate the plant, which in turn entails a need for developing good quality planting material. This study investigates the effects of four provenances, four substrates and their interactions on rooting and shoot development of vine cuttings of G. africanum using the non-mist propagation system developed by ICRAF. Single-node, half-leafed vine cuttings were used and data on rooting and leaf production were collected monthly from the second to the fifth months. Rooting percentages were subjected to analysis of variance using logistic regression procedures in Genstat version 12. Provenance (P<0.001), substrate (P<0.001) and interaction between provenance and substrate (P<0.001) showed highly significant effects on rooting. Excel was used to determine rooting percentages, with the highest observed in fine sand on cuttings from Lekie-Assi (81%) and Boumnyebel (79%) which are high G. africanum exploitation areas in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Boumnyebel showed a significantly higher shoot development than the other provenances. Fine sand and sharp sand can be recommended for rapid, low-cost production of G. africanum planting material.