Abstract

Ouinsavi C., Sourou B., Houètchégnon T., Wédjangnon A., Dossa B., Akin Y., DossouJ., Houndjo M-R.

In order to develop a viable and large-scale Pterocarpus erinaceus seedling production strategy for reforestation, stem cuttings test was carried out using 15 cm length 1.5 to 3.5 cm diameter cuttings, harvested from healthy trees at approximately the same levels on young branches in the morning time. Various levels of Indol Acetic Acid (IAA) dose, cuttings diameters and soaking duration of cuttings into IAA were tested. Cuttings budding, shoots diameter and height as well as number of leaves were recorded. We performed a binomial logistic regression, analysis of variance and generalized linear regression to evaluate the effect of various factors on budding rates, bud bursting and rooting, to assess the effect of these factors on shoots diameter and height, and the effect on the number of leafy shoots. The results showed high rates of budding and bud bursting (>70), whatever the cuttings diameter. Cuttings treated with IAA showed the highest budding rate (>80%). Cuttings diameter significantly influence the number of leafy shoots per budded cuttings, shoots diameter and height (p<0.05). P. erinaceus can be successfully propagated by stem cuttings combining suitable cutting diameter (2 – 3 cm) and appropriate dose of IAA (1500 - 2000mg/l) for twenty minutes and one hour.