Vegetative propagation studies of gum arabic trees. 2. The vegetative propagation of adult Acacia senegal

Abstract

Vegetative propagation of Acacia senegal is possible from branch fragments taken from the crown of mature trees (13 years old), without causing ortet destruction. The most responsive planting stock is taken from cuttings 15 cm long (with 12 to 15 nodes) and a diameter of 10 ± 6 mm (wood of 2 to 4 years old). With this material, the ablation of the leaves prior to planting is a factor which furthers development of the cutting's root system. The development of the root system is also highly influenced by the time at which the cutting is taken: results vary from 10% during the dry season to more than 70% during the rainy season (June—October). Cuttings can be taken from branches 50 cm long. It is thus possible to preserve the planting stock for 8 days in a continually humidified jute cloth and then to make the cuttings at the time of establishment in a nursery, without changing their rhizogenic aptitude. The cuttings show characteristics of maturity (slow growth, plagiotropy, fructification). It is nevertheless possible to preserve the collected genotypes in the field, or better, in planting pots in the nursery, so as to further the process of physiologic rejuvenation with the aim of in vitro cloning.