Medicinal potential, utilization and domestication status of bitter kola (Garcinia kola Heckel) in West and Central Africa

Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae), known as bitter kola, is a multipurpose tree indigenous to West and Central Africa. This highly preferred species is called wonder plant because all of its parts can be used as medicine. Its seeds, the most valued product of the tree, are commonly eaten to prevent/cure gastric disorders and for their typical astringent taste. There is a vast evidence that bioactive components of the seeds can serve as alternative medicine to treat/prevent severe illnesses such as malaria, hepatitis and immune-destructive diseases. Despite the species' pharmaceutical potential and its high preference by West and Central African communities, G. kola is still at the beginning of its domestication process. Even though, there are numerous scientific articles published on species biological activities, it is a difficult task to find basic information on its diversity, distribution, genetics, silvicultural management or botany. Therefore, in this very first review published on G. kola, we summarize all relevant information known about the species, target some of the challenges connected with its cultivation and propose a leading direction for future research and domestication process

Plant Diversity, Ecological Services, and Carbon Stock Assessment in Cocoa Agroforestry Plantations of Forest and Savannah Transitions in Cameroon

This study was carried out in cocoa-based agroforestry systems in Mbam and Inoubou department, Center Region, Cameroon. The study aimed at assessing the plant species diversity, ecological services, and carbon sequestration potentials of diverse trees associated in cocoa agroforestry systems. Twenty-seven sampling plots of 100 × 20 m were established in cocoa agroforestry systems in three villages. Our results registered the occurrence of 238 plant species grouped into 16 families in the sampled area. Sterculiaceae, Burseraceae, and Moraceae were the three dominant families. The species richness and diversity that were assessed using the Shannon index were 0.62, 0.66, and 0.68, respectively, while using the Simpson index, they were 1.421, 1.409, and 0.349, respectively, for Mouko, Rionong, and Nyamsong 3. Carbon stock sink was also estimated at 92.03, 55.18, and 46.83 tC/ha. Our results indicate a high flora diversity in cocoa-based agroforests especially with respect to fruit trees where Tetracarpidium conophorum is introduced. The total amount of CO2/ha per village plots is estimated at 337.46, 202.32, and 171.71 tCO2/ha. Then, the ecological services that should be paid according to 10 US$per ton of carbon are evaluated at 3374.6, 2023.2, and 1717.1 US$ to the owner of the selected farms

Agroforestry and socioeconomic potential of a non-conventional liana: Tetracarpidium conophorum (Müll. Arg.) Hutch. & dalz. in Cameroon

The development of local forest products is hampered by insufficient knowledge about their potential and inadequate assessments of their impact on the national economy. Furthermore, lack of knowledge on the availability of agroforestry tree products (AFTPs) in their biotope prevents effective planning for sustainable management of non-timber forests products (NTFPs) to contribute to poverty reduction. A survey conducted in the Mbam-Inoubou region in central Cameroon shows the significant agroforestry potential of African walnut, Tetracarpidium conophorum, a vine considered as an important associated species in cacao agroforests. The survey results indicate that this vine is fairly abundant in agroforests and commonly planted and used, and could therefore be included in the processing chain to improve household incomes at local, national and even regional levels. The surveys conducted for the study show that sales of products from this liana species can earn creditable incomes. Given this finding, an effort should be made by the different players concerned to improve the distribution of these products by supplying as much information as possible. Doing so would ensure the promotion of African walnuts, oil extract and other new products by bringing them into the national and international marketing system.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Étude ethnobotanique et contribution de Canarium schweinfurthii (Engl) (Burseraceae) aux services écosystémiques des agroforêts à base de caféiers dans le Département de Bamboutos (Ouest, Cameroun)

Objectif: La relance de la filière caféière suscite un regain d’intérêt national pour la valorisation de Canarium schweinfurthii ou « Aiélé », un arbre à usage multiple dominant des agroforêts de l’Ouest Cameroun. Cette étude a pour but d’évaluer la valeur accordée par les populations à ses usages dans le Département de Bamboutos.Méthodologie et Résultats: Cent-sept interviews semi-structurées ont été menées auprès des producteurs de l’espèce dans trois groupements. Des paramètres ethnobotaniques ont été calculés et comparés entre groupements. Sept utilisations de l’espèce ont été recensées, les usages alimentaires (27 %), d’ombrage (23 %) et commercial (19 %) sont prédominants. Les organes utilisés sont les fruits, la résine, le bois, les feuilles et la graine. Les plus fortes valeurs d’usages sont obtenues dans les localités de Babeté (VUt = 1,53). Les valeurs d’indice de fidélité (NF) (0-100%) obtenues témoignent de la variation du niveau de connaissance des populations pour cette espèce.Conclusion et application des résultats: La présence de C. schweinfurthii dans les plantations caféières fournit des bénéfices très importants pour l’équilibre de ce système à travers ses multiples usages, la diversité des produits fournis et l’importance des services offerts pour la performance du système. La variation du niveau de connaissance en fonction des groupements est un atout majeur pour la valorisation de l’espèce à travers des échanges de savoirs et savoir-faire inter groupements et au-delà du Département. Cependant, la dégradation des caféières au profit des systèmes essentiellement vivriers pourrait affecter négativement la représentation de l’espèce dans l’espace agraire de la région et par conséquent la perte des différents services qu’elle offre. L’étude recommande une valorisation des produits de l’espèce et une promotion de la domestication à travers des pratiques de gestion favorisant son intégration dans tous les types de systèmes de production agricole de la localité.Mots clés: Agroforêts caféières, Bamboutos, Canarium schweinfurthii, Paramètres ethnobotaniques, Valeur d’usageEnglish Title:  Ethnobotanical study and contribution of Canarium Schweinfurthii (Engl) (Burseraceae) to ecosystems services of coffee-based agroforests in Bamboutos subdivision, West CameroonEnglish AbstractObjective: The relaunching of the coffee sector is generating a renewed national interest in the valuation of Canarium schweinfurthii or « Aiélé », a multipurpose tree dominating agroforestry systems in western Cameroon. This study aims to evaluate the use value of the species for the populations of the Department of Bamboutos.Methodology and Results: One hundred and seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with producers of the species in three villages groups. Ethnobotanical parameters were calculated and compared between groups. Seven uses categories of the species were identified, among which Food uses (27%), Shade (23%) and Commercial (19%) were predominant. The organs used are Fruits, Resin, Wood, Leaves and Kernel. The highest values of uses are obtained in the localities of Babeté (VUt = 1.53). The Fidelity Index (NF) values (0-100%) obtained showed the variation in the level of knowledge among studied populations and village groups.Conclusion and application of results: Presence of C. schweinfurthii in coffee plantations provides very important benefits for the performance of this system through its multiple uses, the diversity of the products supplied, and the importance of the services provided in the system. The variation of the level of knowledge according to populations and village groupings is a major asset for the valorization of the species through exchanges of knowledge and know-how between groups and beyond the Department. However, the degradation of coffee plantations in favor of mainly food –based systems could negatively affect the representation of the species in the agrarian landscape of the region and consequently the loss of the various benefits it offers. The study recommends a valorization of the products of the species and a promotion of the domestication through management practices favoring its integration in all existing agricultural production systems found in the western highlands.Keywords: Coffee agroforests, Bamboutos, Canarium schweinfurthii, Ethnobotanical parameter, valu

Improving growth of stockplants and rooting ability of leafy stem cuttings of Allanblackia floribunda Oliver (Clusiaceae) using different NPK fertilizers and periods of application

Our study addressed the effect of granular NPK 20-10-10 doses (0, 25 and 50 g/plant) applied to A. floribunda stockplants on growth of stockplant and the effect on rooting ability of foliar NPKs (15-15-30, 20-20-20 and 30-10-10) applied on leafy stem cuttings in propagators at different physiological stages of rooting process (setting, callus initiation and both). Results show that fertilizer doses significantly (p = 0.03) affect the number of cuttings that could be produced by stockplants 6 months after application. The mean number of cuttings per plant increased with fertilizer doses with the highest value of 11.06 +/- 0.41 % for 50 g. Application of NPK 20-20-20 foliar fertilizer on stem cuttings at callus stage, significantly (p = 0.04) boosted rooting of stem cuttings after 28 weeks (85.71 +/- 4.1 %). Number of roots per cutting was not significantly different (p = 0.98). However, the highest frequency of cuttings displayed three roots was observed on NPK 20-20-20 (To + Cal) and NPK 30-10-10 (To + Cal). From this study, we can conclude that, 50 g of NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer application on stockplants produced the greatest number of vegetal material. Treated with NPK 20-20-20 at callus initiation stage or both (i. e. at setting and at callus initiation stage), rooting performs better

Farm rejuvenation-driven dynamics of live canopy trees and biomass in cocoa agroforests.

Field inventory data collection in 2016 and 2017. Mapping of cocoa trees and associated non-cocoa trees in cocoa agrofrests in the Forest-Savannah transition landscape of Bokito. A total of 4080 trees mapped on farms in cocoa agroforests that were created from previously Savannah and forests land cover. Aim of the study is to assess temporal dynamics of tree horizontal structure, and the contribution of farm rejuvenation to changes in the relative tree abundance in canopy strata

Evolution of community forestry in Cameroon: an innovation ecosystems perspective

Cameroon introduced community forestry (CF) in 1994 as a means of improving community engagement in forest management, enhancing forest conservation, and reducing poverty for forest-dependent people. More than 20 years on, reflection on uptake, conceptual evolution, and innovation is necessary to understand how best community forests can contribute to Cameroon's post-2015 sustainable development goals. We investigate, review, and reflect on how community forestry has evolved from an innovation ecosystem perspective, with a view to enhancing innovations and performance. Interest and momentum in community forestry remains strong in Cameroon, with the number of community forests growing, reaching 430 and covering 1.7 million ha (7% of total forest area). Major innovations identified are the introduction of pre-emption rights and steps toward sustainable forest management (ban on industrial logging, development of certification standards, and the introduction of the environmental notice in lieu of a full environmental impact assessment for CF activities). Little or no innovation is registered in areas related to forest enterprise (i.e., products and services value chains) and in terms of practicing sustainable forest management. Evidence suggests that knowledge generated directly feeds innovation. Coincidentally, areas for which little progress was made (enterprise and sustainable practices) also recorded few publications, suggesting that partnerships aimed at improving knowledge generation and sharing could help catalyze innovation. Other options for unlocking innovations within community forestry discussed include: enhancing intercommunity forest and private sector community forests partnerships and collaboration, increased capacity development and capital investments, and deploying incentives (financial and nonfinancial). Together these options can potentially transform community forestry in Cameroon