ASSESSMENT OF INFESTATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF LORANTHACEAE ON WOODY PLANTS OF THE MANDARA MOUNTAINS OF THE FAR NORTH REGION, CAMEROON

Abstract

Loranthaceae are a permanent danger to many woody plant species. The present study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the degree of parasitism of Loranthaceae on woody species of the Mandara Mountains in the Far North Region of Cameroon. A methodological approach based on surface surveys was adopted. On the hills, the species of Loranthaceae encountered and the host plants have been identified. The botanical inventory revealed a floristic composition of 73 species of phorophytes distributed in 43 genera and 24 families. These phorophytes are parasitized by 7 species of Loranthaceae (Agelanthus dodoneifolius, Globimetula braunii, Phragmanthera capitata, Tapinanthus bangwensis, T. belvisii, T. globiferus and T. ophiodes), distributed in 4 genera (Agelanthus, Globimetula, Agmanthera and Tapinanthus). T. globiferus and A. dodoneifolius are the most abundant ubiquitous Loranthaceae species of the 7 parasitic species inventoried and identified on the Mandara Mountains. The average parasite rate of the inventoried phorophytes is 27.35% andthe average infestation intensity is 4.07 tufts / plant. This rate and the intensity of infestation vary among plant families. The distribution of Loranthaceae tufts follows an ascending curve. Parasitism of woody plants by Loranthaceae species therefore represents a considerable threat to phorophytes. It would therefore be wise to explore the means of combating Loranthaceae, for the conservation of plant biodiversity which integrates sustainable development in the Far North Region, Cameroon.