Effects of Seed Pretreatment on Germination, Growth and Yield of <i>Momordica charantia</i>L.

Momordica charantia is a plant species widely used in food and traditional medicine. However, the germination techniques and the performances of M. charantia are poorly understood by the populations. This study aims to better understand the germination, growth and development characteristics, and yield of M. charantia. Three pretreatments of the seeds are used for the shortening of the pre-germination period: soaking the seeds in tap water for 24 hours (batch 2), in hot water at 80˚C (batch 3), for 24 hours and in the boiling water at 100˚C for 24 hours (batch 4). A control without soaking (batch 1) was also carried out. The seeds were sown in plastic boxes in the laboratory with sterile sand and directly in the nursery in polyethylene sleeves. The influence of the light factor (light and dark) and watering frequency (every day and every two days) on the growth and yield parameters was evaluated respectively in the laboratory and in the nursery. Germination, growth and yield parameters were determined. The results show that the light and frequency of watering factors have no influence (p > 0.05) on the rate and duration of seed germination unlike pretreatments. Thus, Batch1 and 2 exhibit significantly higher germination rates (70% ± 16%) than Lots 3 and 4 (21% ± 15%) in the laboratory and in the nursery. On the other hand in terms of germination time, batch 3 and 4 displayed shorter durations (14 days) than those batch1 and 2 (23 days). Growth parameters and yield (fruit and seeds) are strongly influenced by watering frequency, unlike pretreatments which only affect yield. Growth and yield parameters are significantly higher with daily watering than daily watering. Ultimately, this study showed that pretreatments have an influence on the duration and rate of germination as well as the frequency of watering on the performance of M. charantia.

Growth, Development and Suitability for Kent of Mango Rootstocks on Soil Substrates Collected under <i>Anacardium occidentale</i>L., <i>Khaya senegalensis</i>(Desv.) A. Juss and <i>Mangifera indica</i>L., in Casamance, Senegal

With an overall contribution of nearly 4 billion CFA francs to Senegal’s income, providing 23,000 employments more than 50% are women in 2021, the mango sector has shown its importance in the Senegalese economy even if the potential remains largely under-exploited. Thus, the study on the main local varieties remains an important perspective. This work carried out in the farm of the agroforestry department concerns the growth and development of four varieties (Pince, Kouloubadaseky, Sierra Leone and Diourou) on different soils (Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale and Khaya senegalensis). This work aims to contribute to the knowledge of the most cultivated varieties in Casamance. It is also a question of seeing the response of these varieties to grafting with the Kent variety. An experiment was conducted for one year with a split plot design consisting of 4 replicates (blocks). Each block contains 4 plots and each plot contains 3 sub-plots with 20 plants each. The parameters measured were: diameter at the collar, height, number of leaves, biomass, number of growth units and grafting success rate. The Sierra Leone variety showed the best growth results in terms of diameter at the crown (0.511 ± 0.090), leaf production (16 ± 2.52) and dry biomass (28.67 ± 16.80). The Kouloubadaseky variety had the best height record (41.90 ± 6.15) and the Diourou variety gave the best results in terms of fresh biomass (68.94 ± 30.90), number of growth units (9.350 ± 2.06) and grafting success rate (78.84% ± 29.44%). Anacardium occidentale soil substrate gave the best growth in height (39.73 ± 5.54 cm) while the substrate collected under M. indica L produced a greater number of leaves (13.14 ± 3.64) and grafting success rate (71.12% ± 37.25%). The Khaya senegalensis substrate recorded the highest values in biomass production (61.00 ± 35.93 for fresh biomass and 25.25% ± 15.74% for dry biomass).

Farmers' contributions to the conservation of tree diversity in the Groundnut Basin,Senegal

Tree diversity in West Africa is threatened by intensified land uses and salinization, and farmers’ role in conservation of tree species is unclear. We hypothesized that farmers contribute to conservation of tree diversity through protection of trees in their agroforestry landscapes and compared the diversity and structure of the tree vegetation across landscape classes. Inventories were carried out in three villages in the Groundnut Basin in Senegal, assessing tree diversity, density and crown cover. Tree diversity as assessed by species accumulation curves was high in forests, but cultivated landscapes had comparable or almost comparable diversity, especially in the cases where the forest was planted or was affected by charcoal production. However, the occurrence of exotic species was higher in cultivated parts of the landscape, and although many species were in common, ordination plots indicated that forests and cultivated landscapes to some degree had different species composition. Salinity had a strong influence on vegetation, not only in the tans (salt marshes) but also across the other landscape classes. In conclusion, agroforestry landscapes in the three villages harbor considerable tree diversity, but insufficient to fully conserve the tree species. We argue that informing and including farmers in tree management in the region will contribute to overall conservation of tree genetic resources.