Improved germination of threatened medicinal Prunus africana for better domestication: effects of temperature, growth re
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Improved germination of threatened medicinal Prunus africana for better domestication: effects of temperature, growth regulators and salts Justine Germo Nzweundji1,2 • Koffi Konan3 • Leopold M. Nyochembeng4 Nehemie Donfagsiteli Tchinda2 • Nicolas Niemenak1
•
Received: 6 May 2018 / Accepted: 30 May 2019 Northeast Forestry University 2019
Abstract Prunus africana is an endangered medicinal species and has been classified as a priority for domestication in Cameroon. However, the seeds rapidly lose their viability during storage at room temperature after 2–3 months. This study aimed to improve seed germination of P. africana by germinating at different temperatures (4 C, 28 C) using different concentrations of growth stimulators (sodium nitrate and gibberellic acid) and different concentrations of salts. P. africana seeds had 91.7% germination at 4 C after 1 month of storage. Growth regulators considerably influenced germination after 6 months and reached 66.0% with 10 mM gibberellic acid and 100% with 10 mM sodium nitrate. Approximately three shoots per seed were developed, an indication of polyembryony. Histochemical analyses revealed the Project funding: The work was supported by the Rufford Small Grants Foundation to Niemenak Nicolas (RSG Ref. 70.05.09) and by the UNESCO l’Oreal Fellowship for Women in Science Program to Nzweundji Justine Germo. The online version is available at http://www.springerlink.com Corresponding editor: Tao Xu. & Nicolas Niemenak [email protected] 1
Department of Biological Science, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 47, Yaounde´, Cameroon
2
Centre for Research on Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), PO Box 6163, Yaounde´, Cameroon
3
IngateyGen LLC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
4
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Alabama A&M University, Hunstville, AL, USA
presence of protein-like bodies close to the embryo axis and accumulations of starch after 7 days of germination. After 14 days, amyloplasts and dark protein bodies of various sizes were observed. The outcome of this study will contribute to improve the germination of P. africana for better domestication and conservation. Keywords Conservation Germination Growth regulators Histochemical analyses Prunus africana Temperature
Introduction Prunus africana (Hook f.) Kalkman, the African cherry, is an evergreen species growing between 900 and 3400 m, mainly in moist highlands (Beentje 1994; Bodeker et al. 2014). It is an important species with a multitude of uses. The extract from the bark is used for the treatment of many diseases, however, it is mostly known to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which affects men over 50 years (Cunningham and Mbenkum 1993; Jena et al. 2016). In addition to its medicinal properties, the bark is a source of non-timber forest products that have attracted national and international attention (Stewart 2003). The species is widely distributed
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