Influence of Different Environments on Germination Parameters and Seedling Morphology in Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss (Meliaceae) ()
Affiliation(s)
1Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Agroforestry UFR, Departement for Seeds and Seedlings Production, Daloa, Cote d’Ivoire.
2CIRAD, UMR AMAP, Montpellier, France AMAP, Université Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Montpellier, France.
3IRD, UMR-DIADE, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
ABSTRACT
Khaya senegalensis is one of the largest and most majestic trees in Africa. Overexploited
for its precious wood and medicinal values, the natural stands of this species
are in danger of extinction in Cote d’Ivoire. Its sustainable management
through regeneration techniques and assessment of its degree of adaptation to
the changing climate is necessary. The aim of
this study is to evaluate the effect of different environments on
seedling germination and development in Khaya
senegalensis. A total of 2160 seeds from different mother plants
and 540 individuals from seed germination were selected and evaluated. The
trials were conducted on three sites that were distinct by their microclimate
(two nurseries in Cote d’Ivoire and one greenhouse in France). Analysis of
variance showed that germination and morphology parameters were not influenced
by the characteristics of the mother plants used (p > 0.05), but rather by
the study sites (P < 0.05). The stable and controlled greenhouse climate was
more advantageous for latency time (12.66 ± 0.80 days), germination delay
(16.96 96 ± 0.54 days), germination speed (19.66 ± 2.95 days), germination
duration (10.83 ± 2.27 days) and germination rate (88.88 ± 7.97) with more
vigorous sowing than the other two sites. The results showed in general that
the higher the height of the seedlings, the thicker the diameter of the
seedlings (r = 0.796) and the higher the number of leaves (r = 0.946). This
savannah species is native to the arid zones of Africa, but this study
highlighted its adaptive potential to changing and different climates. These
results are decision support tools for the regeneration of native pioneer
forest species with high agroforestry potential and socio-economic importance
such as Khaya senegalensis. This study could be
extended to other species in order to restore disturbed ecosystems.
Share and Cite:
Adji, B. , Akaffou, S. , Kouassi, K. , Houphouet, Y. , Duminil, J. and Sabatier, S. (2020) Influence of Different Environments on Germination Parameters and Seedling Morphology in
Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss (Meliaceae).
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
11, 1579-1600. doi:
10.4236/ajps.2020.1110114.