TITLE:
Assessing Growth Parameters from Culm Cuttings of Bambusa vulgaris at the University of Dschang Botanic Garden, West Region of Cameroon: Implications for the Bamboo Resource Base and Rural Livelihoods
AUTHORS:
Gilles Ananfack, Baurel Atchombou, Herman T. Zanguim, Nyong Princely Awazi, Steve N. Tassiamba, Loic T. Tientcheu, Barnabas Neba Nfornkah, Rene Kaam, Martin N. Tchamba
KEYWORDS:
Bamboo, Bambusa vulgaris, Growth Parameters, Culm Cuttings, University of Dschang Botanic Garden, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
10,
2022
ABSTRACT: Dwindling
supplies of bamboo resources and the increase in the demand for bamboo have led to
the need for better propagation techniques. This is the only way to ensure the
sustainability of the bamboo resource base and improve livelihoods. Thus, this
study was carried out to examine the different growth parameters of culm
cuttings of Bambusa vulgaris in
propagation beds with a substrate consisting of dark soil, manure (compost) and
sand in a ratio of 1:1:1. Data on different growth parameters was collected on
a daily basis over a three week period and analyzed using appropriate
descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that the different growth
parameters (diameter, height, leaves and sheaths) of culm cuttings of B. vulgaris evolved in like manner in
three propagation beds. Descriptive statistics for growth parameters of culm
cuttings of B. vulgaris showed little
or no differences across three shelter/propagation beds (shelter bed 1, shelter
bed 2 and shelter bed 3) with 1.4675 ± 1.6172 cm, 93 ± 112 cm, 22 ± 30 leaves,
and 4 ± 6 sheaths being the mean diameter, height, number of leaves and number
of sheaths for all three propagation beds, respectively. ANOVA test showed no
statistically significant variation (p > 0.05) between growth parameters of culm cuttings of B. vulgaris across the three propagation beds, implying that the
different growth parameters were relatively similar. Pearson correlation showed
the existence of direct and inverse relationships between the different growth
parameters of culm cuttings of bamboo. The existence of these direct and
inverse relationships could be attributed to the rapid growth rate of bamboo,
the substrate used, and the species of bamboo used (B. vulgaris). The study recommends more large-scale propagation
projects of this bamboo species in order to ensure the sustainability of the
bamboo resource base and improve livelihoods of bamboo dependent rural
communities.