Variation in seed and seedling traits of <i>Faidherbia albida</i> (DEL.) A. Chev populations in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon

Abstract

The once sustainable agroforestry system in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon has been abandoned and trees overexploited. A study on the variability in seed and seedling traits of Faidherbia albida (DEL.) A. Chev populations from different climatic zones was carried out. Six populations were selected from Sudanian (Poli, Garoua III, and Figuil) and Sahelian (Yagoua, Moulvoudaye and Maroua I) climatic zones and harvested seeds were transported to the experimental farm of IRAD Yagoua for pretreatment and growth experiment. Four pretreatments (98% sulfuric acid, hot water, scarification and soaking in water for 24 hours) were used to initiate the germination. After one month, the rate of germination (%) was recorded and seedlings were transplanted in three substrates for seedling growth evaluation. Growth traits (Survival, plant height, root collar diameter, number of leaves, root length, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight) were measured after three months. The experimental design was a single tree plot randomized complete block design with 30 blocks. Results indicated there was significant difference (p = 0.002) among pre-treatments for the germination. The highest rate of germination was recorded with seedlings from scarified seeds (78.33%), followed by those from seeds treated with sulfuric acid (76.67%). Seeds and seedling traits were significant among populations with Yagoua recording the highest in most of the traits measured. Scarification can assist in seed germination and movement of seeds between populations and climatic zones should be considered during conservation programs.

Seed germination dynamics of some woody legumes: implication for restoration of arid zones ecosystems

“…Prolonged contact of seeds with hot water leads to the inactivation or destruction of enzymes crucial for initiating germination and, ultimately, the death of the seed embryo (Chuyong and Acidri, 2015 ; Fredrick et al, 2016 ; Amerin and Daldoum, 2017 ). However, this study’s results demonstrate that the effect of prolonged seed incubation at high temperatures is contingent upon the tree species (Tchatchoua et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Leguminous trees play a crucial role under the harsh environmental conditions of arid regions (Amerin and Daldoum, 2017 ; Tchatchoua et al, 2019 ). They contribute to maintaining suitable conditions for the normal functioning of the ecosystem and safeguard human enterprises, such as arable cultivation, animal husbandry, and livelihoods (Malagnoux et al, 2007 ).…”

Genetic diversity of Faidherbia albida populations in the Sudano Sahelian region of Cameroon, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers

“…Seed samples are collected across the entire natural range of the species, or within a geographic area of interest, with which seedling field trials are conducted, referred to as provenance tests (Zobel and Talbert, 1984). In the case of F. albida, genetic improvement studies started three decades ago with the morphological characterization of provenances from northwest, northcentral, east and south African populations, including field trials in Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Sudan (Sniezko and Stewart, 1989;Peltier and Eyog-Matig, 1988;Vandenbeldt, , 1992Abdelazim et al, 1997;Tchatchoua et al, 2019). These trials revealed two distinct ecotypes, one spanning the Sahel in North Africa, and a second typically found in riparian habitats in East and South Africa.…”