TITLE:
Influence of Different Geomorphic Surfaces and Profile Modification on the Growth of Maesopsis eminni (Engl) at the Yongka Western Highlands Research Garden Park Nkwen-Bamenda, North West Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Bernard Palmer Kfuban Yerima, Roger Kogge Enang, Claude Assembo Makem, Nicole Guehjung, Grace Mbakpor Ayuk
KEYWORDS:
Maesopsis, Upper Slope, Middle Slope, Foot Slope, Height, Collar Circumference, Profile Modification, Induced Hydrolysis
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.1,
January
18,
2017
ABSTRACT: The growth of Maesopsis under the influence of various
geomorphic surfaces was followed within a period of 70 months. Young plants of two
months old were transplanted into 70 × 70 × 70 cm holes under natural conditions
(no inputs such as manure and other amendments). A randomized complete block design
was set up for the experiment, alongside a control, and growth parameters followed
(height and collar circumference). Three blocks with different geomorphic surfaces
were put in place for the experiment (upper slope or block 1, middle slope or block
2 and foot slope or block 3). Results of the experiment indicated that geomorphic
surface had a significant effect on height but not on collar circumference. Plant
height increased progressively from upper slope to foot slope; less tall trees were
found at the upper slope, while the tallest trees were found at the foot slope.
After 70 months, maximum average height attained by plants for the experiment was
1228.3 cm, observed in block 3 (foot slope), significant at 0.05 confidence level
with respect to geomorphic surface. In blocks 1 and 2 (upper slope and middle slope),
maximum average heights attained were 798.5 and 937.5 cm, respectively and were
shown to be statistically equal at 0.05 confidence level. Geomorphic surface had
no effect on collar circumference. Maximum average collar circumferences attained
after 70 months were 62.8 cm (observed at the upper slope), 61.3 cm (observed at
the middle slope) and 76.3 cm (observed at the foot slope) and the various collar
circumferences were shown to be statistically the same at 0.05 confidence level.
For the control, maximum height attained after 70 months was 1240 cm (observed at
the foot slope). At the upper slope and middle slope, maximum average heights were
respectively, 800 cm and 905 cm, and were statistically equal at the 0.05 confidence
level but different from the foot slope value of 1240 cm. Maximum average collar
circumference was observed at the foot slope (76.3 cm), while circumferences of
62.8 cm and 61.3 cm were respectively observed at the upper and middle slopes. In
the control, collar circumference was shown to be statistically equal at the upper
and middle slopes but different from that at the foot slope at 0.05 confidence level.
Correlations between growth parameters were more explained for the control than
for the experiment. Increasing plant height was associated with decreasing percent
slope (at a p-value of 0.05) corresponding to increasing soil depth favoring root
exploration and soil and water retention. Profile modification enhanced plant growth
and enabled the cultivation of trees on all geomorphic surfaces.