Influence of substrate and length on the ability of root segments cuttings of Ximenia americana L. to regenerate

Ximenia americana L. is one of the most popular local edible fruit species in Cameroon. The aim of this work is to contribute to the domestication of Ximenia americana by root segments cutting (RSC). To this end, the favorable sampling period of cuttings for this species was indirectly determined by quantifying carbohydrate content in the laboratory, and the influence of substrate and length of root segment cuttings on the ability of this species to form adventitious buds and roots was also evaluated. The root system of adult mother trees was carefully excavated, and lateral root segments were removed and kept in the cooler until they reached the nursery. There, they were cut into cuttings of 10, 15 and 20 cm. The root segment cuttings were inserted vertically into four different substrate, sand/sawdust (sa/sw); black soil/sawdust (bs/sw); sawdust (sw) and black soil (bs). The experimental design used was a split-plot with 03 replicates in which the substrate is the main treatment and the length of the root segment cuttings the secondary treatment. The experimental unit was made up to 10 cuttings. Investigations all over the year, showed that vegetative rest period of Ximenia americana is from March to August, period were the whole sugars are at their highest level (21.45 mg/MS). The sand/sawdust mixture is the best substrate for budding and rooting, with 58.88±16.91% and 59±21.47% respectively. The 20cm cuttings showed the best budding (62.5±11.38%) and rooting (46±29.37%) rates. This low-cost vegetative propagation technique represents an important step in the domestication of this species.