TITLE:
Ecophysiology of Lophira lanceolata Seeds Germination and Conservation Perspectives
AUTHORS:
Aliou Dicko, Belarmain Fandohan, Armand Kuyema Natta
KEYWORDS:
Benin, Germination Speed, Oilseed, Phytodistrict, Recalcitrant Seed, West Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.13 No.9,
September
8,
2022
ABSTRACT: Lophira lanceolata is a multi-purpose woody plant species used by local populations in
Benin. Its seeds are used for the manufacture of edible vegetable oil and also
for medicinal care. However, reproduction by seed of this plant species is
compromised not only by the multiple uses made of the seeds, but also by the
difficulties of germination in the natural environment. Several ecological
factors could explain this difficulty of germination. In this study, we
investigated the species seeds ecophysiology in order to develop seedlings
production techniques for its reintroduction. Beta regression was performed to test the effect of water, light and provenance
on seeds germination rate. The germination speed was expressed as the
median germination time. The results showed that the germination rate was
better under light conditions (β =
0.77674 ± 0.14954, Z = 5.194, p β = -0.28222 ± 0.14809, Z = -1.906, p = 0.0567). The best provenance was the phytodistrict of Atacora chain. The cumulative
germination rate reached 50% after 54 days for seeds collected from Atacora
chain and after 57 days under light conditions. Regarding the level of
watering, the germination rate remained below 50% regardless the treatment. The
germination speed was higher for seeds collected from Atacora chain and that
have germinated under light conditions and watered twice a week. For the
sustainable management of L. lanceolata,
domestication by establishment of plantations by rural communities is
recommended based on seeds from Atacora chain.