Amenability of African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) to vegetative propagation techniques

Abstract

Adansonia digitata L. is a multi-purpose indigenous fruit tree. Rural communities in most parts of Africa depend on it as a source of food, medicine, and income. Developing vegetative propagation protocols would enhance domestication of this species and increase the supply of its products. Two grafting methods were assessed in the months of October and November 2016. The graft take and shooting were assessed 6 and 5 months after propagation. Significant difference (P≤ 0.003) was observed between grafting methods in October and November. Top cleft in October attained the highest grafting success rate of 66.6 ± 3.33%, whilst in November the success rate was 33.3 ± 16.7%. Side veneer attained 63.3 ± 12.0% grafting success in October as opposed to 30.0 ± 17.3% in November. The results indicate that baobab is easily amenable to grafting when done at the right time with the correct size of scions. Therefore, to promote the cultivation of the species in the agroforestry systems, grafting using scions from mother trees possessing desired attributes should be used and promoted.