Correlations between some phenotypic characters of Prunus africana and chemical characteristics of soils in Cameroon

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/04/2013
Views (243) Download (6)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Correlations between some phenotypic characters of Prunus africana and chemical characteristics of soils in Cameroon

Maurice Tchouakionie, Emmanuel Youmbi, Amougou Akoa, Michel Ndoumbe Nkeng
J. Bio. Env. Sci.3( 4), 74-82, April 2013.
Certificate: JBES 2013 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Prunus africana (Hook. f.) Kalkman is one of vulnerable biodiversity components mainly used for medicinal purpose in Africa. In Cameroon, farmers are not aware of the soil types in which this plant yields best so far as its phenotypic parameters are concerned. In seeking for a solution to this problem, this study was carried out at Manengouba mountain forest and within Bamenda highland area with the aim to quantify the phenotypic characters of P. africana and appreciate the correlations between them and chemical characteristics of the soil. The sample was made up of 80 trees, 2085 leaves randomly collected and 6 soils samples from 6 plots. Nine phenotypic characters quantified among others were; the height of the first big branch which varied from 1.97 to 2.35 m, the weight of the leaf from 252.20 to 380.45 mg and its area from 3 309 to 3935 mm². Pearson test shows 13 significant correlations between the phenotypic characters of P. africana and chemical characteristics of the soils. Multivariable analysis shows the grouping of trees. It was established that P. africana is a calcifuges’ plant as far as growth of leaf surface is concerned while nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus favored the longitudinal and radial growth of the tree stem respectively.

VIEWS 13

Avana TML. 2006. Domestication of Prunus africana (Hook, f.) Kalkam (Rosaseae): study of the germination and the propagation by cutting. PhD thesis, University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon. 102-105.

Avery R, Wirsly E. 2001. Prunus: A Booklet for Extension Workers, Limbe Botanic Garden, Limbe, Cameroon. 20-22.

Dawson IK, Powell W. 1999. Genetic variation in the afromontane tree Prunus africana, an endangered medicinal species. Molecular Ecology, Volume 8, issue1, 151-156.

Dawson IK, Were J. 2000. Conservation of Prunus africana, African over exploited medicinal plant. International Centre for Research in Agroforestry, Nairobi, Kenya. 6-7.

Denain L. 2005. Biotechnology-France, Soil-plant transfer and cycle of mineral elements in the planted ecosystems, INRA, Bordeaux-Aquitaine, France. 11-12.

Hall JB, O’brien EM, Sinclair FL. 2000. Prunus africana: a monograph. University of Wales, School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Bangor, UK. Vol. 18, 7-11.

Tchouakionie M. 2010. Study of phenotypic characters of Prunus africana (Hook. f.) Kalkman relating to altitudes in two regions of Cameroon, Book of abstracts, Cameroon Biosciences Society (CBS), Yaounde, Cameroon. 49-50.

Vivien J, Faure JJ. 2011. Trees for Humid forests of Central Africa, COMIFAC, GIZ, and Foundation for the Tri-National of Sangha (TNS), Project Resource Management (PRM), Rouen, France. 652-653.