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Improved germination of threatened medicinal Prunus africana for better domestication: effects of temperature, growth regulators and salts

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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 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.

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Acknowledgements

This 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 Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is also acknowledged for material donation to Niemenak Nicolas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Science, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Justine Germo Nzweundji & Nicolas Niemenak

  2. Centre for Research on Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), PO Box 6163, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Justine Germo Nzweundji & Nehemie Donfagsiteli Tchinda

  3. IngateyGen LLC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA

    Koffi Konan

  4. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Alabama A&M University, Hunstville, AL, USA

    Leopold M. Nyochembeng

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  1. Justine Germo Nzweundji
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Correspondence to Nicolas Niemenak.

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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.

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Corresponding editor: Tao Xu.

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Nzweundji, J.G., Konan, K., Nyochembeng, L.M. et al. Improved germination of threatened medicinal Prunus africana for better domestication: effects of temperature, growth regulators and salts. J. For. Res. 31, 2403–2411 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-01000-0

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