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Deforestation is a serious threat to the environment and biodiversity worldwide and particularly in Côte d'Ivoire. There is an urgent need to develop new strategies for environmental preservation and sustainable biodiversity management. The study aims to optimise the cultivation of three heavily exploited native forest species in Côte d'Ivoire, namely Khaya senegalensis, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Parkia biglobosa. First, 1080 seeds and 360 seedlings per species were used for a germination and growth study of seedlings in two distinct environments (dry and humid). Then, an architectural and retrospective analysis of axes in the crown of 360 young, adult and old individuals per species was carried out in two habitats (open environment and undergrowth) in six localities following a South-North bioclimatic gradient in Côte d'Ivoire. Finally, developmental parameters were calculated using the Montecarlo process, while secondary growth and source-sink relationships were calibrated with Pressler's law using the generalized least squares method through the GreenLab structure-function model, on a sample of 180 plants aged 6, 12 and 24 months per species. The results showed that large seeds of Khaya senegalensis (0.25-0.37 g), Pterocarpus erinaceus (0.08-0.15 g) and Parkia biglobosa (0.2-0.32 g) are quality seeds that can produce efficient seedlings for optimising reforestation success. The retrospective analysis made it possible to identify development difficulties and favourable areas (Katiola, Bouaké and Toumodi) for the cultivation of the target species. The architectural analysis established the unity and architectural characteristics of the target species. Khaya senegalensis follows Rauh's architectural model with 4 axis categories, while Pterocarpus erinaceus and Parkia biglobosa follow Troll's model with 3 axis categories. The meristematic activity laws coupled with organ sinks (D: Demand), photosynthesis (Q: Offer) and organic series (Q/D: Trophic pressure and organ expansion of Beta laws), have allowed to simulate the architecture of the species in 3D synthetic imaging. These new results lead to a computational plant model adapted to the needs of forestry from a new angle. They make it possible to envisage new agronomic and forestry applications in Côte d'Ivoire. These genuine results represent important support tools that can contribute to the sustainable management of target species and serve as a basis for restructuring forest regeneration policy in Côte d'Ivoire.; La déforestation menace gravement l’environnement et la biodiversité dans le monde et particulièrement en Côte d’Ivoire. Il est urgent de développer des stratégies nouvelles de préservation de l’environnement et de gestion durable de la biodiversité. L’étude vise à optimiser la culture de trois espèces forestières indigènes fortement exploitées en Côte d’Ivoire, que sont Khaya senegalensis, Pterocarpus erinaceus et Parkia biglobosa. Dans un premier temps, 1080 graines et 360 plantules par espèce ont été utilisés pour une étude de germination et de croissance de semis dans deux environnements distincts (sec et humide). Ensuite, une analyse architecturale et rétrospective d’axes dans la cime de 360 individus jeunes, adultes et vieux par espèce ont été réalisées dans deux habitats (milieu ouvert et sous-bois) de six localités suivant un gradient bioclimatique Sud-Nord en Côte d’Ivoire. Enfin, les paramètres de développement ont été calculés grâce au processus de Montecarlo, tandis que la croissance secondaire et les relations source-puits ont été calibrées avec la loi de Pressler à l’aide de la méthode des moindres carrés via le modèle structure-fonction GreenLab, sur un échantillon de 180 plants âgés de 6, 12 et 24 mois par espèce. Les résultats ont montré que les grosses graines de Khaya senegalensis (0,25-0,37 g), Pterocarpus erinaceus (0,08-0,15 g) et de Parkia biglobosa (0,2-0,32 g) sont des semences de qualité pouvant produire des semis performants pour l’optimisation de la réussite du reboisement. L’analyse rétrospective a permis d’identifier les difficultés de développement et les zones favorables (Katiola, Bouaké et Toumodi) à la culture des espèces cibles. L’analyse architecturale à permis d’établir l’unité et les caractéristiques architecturales des espèces cibles. Khaya senegalensis suit le modèle architecturale de Rauh avec 4 catégories d’axe, alors que Pterocarpus erinaceus et Parkia biglobosa suivent le modèle de Troll avec 3 catégories d’axe. Les lois d’activités méristématiques couplées aux puits des organes (D : Demande), à la photosynthèse (Q : Offre) et aux séries organiques (Q/D: Pression trophique et expansion d’organe des lois Bêta), ont permis de simuler l’architecture des espèces en imagerie de synthèse 3D. Ces résultats nouveaux permettent d’aboutir à un modèle de plante computationnelle adaptées aux besoins de la sylviculture sous un nouvel angle. Ils permettent d’envisager de nouvelles applications agronomiques et forestières en Côte d’Ivoire. Ces résultats authentiques représentent des outils d’aides importants pouvant contribuer à la gestion durable des espèces cibles et servir de base de restructuration de la politique de régénération de la forêt en Côte d’Ivoire.

Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir, a spontaneous species from Guinean savannahs of West Africa, functions as socio-economic and cultural livelihood in rural areas of Benin. This study improved the knowledge of people about the uses of P. erinaceus organs connected to the sociolinguistic diversity in Benin, intending to enhance the pathways of conservation and sustainable management of the species. A total of 506 respondents from nine big sociolinguistic groups were interviewed using a survey questionnaire. To show the diversity of the organs/parts used as well as the categories of uses, principal component analyzes were performed to matrices including the relative frequencies of citation grouping the socio-demographic factors and the categories of uses, together under the packages FactoMineR and factoextra. The results revealed the use of all P. erinaceus organs in various forms of use for various purposes and make it an important species of livelihood for the local people. Sixty-four diseases, symptoms, or pathologies are cured by using P. erinaceus organs. These various uses of P. erinaceus varied among the sociolinguistic groups. The results of the study suggest the need to define conservation strategies for the natural stands of P. erinaceus to ensure sustainable management of the species. Key words: Forest livelihoods, traditional uses, ethnomedicinal knowledge, conservation, principal component analysis, West Africa.

The comparative study of soil bacteria from the rhizosphere was carried out using samples obtained from the soil (rhizospheres) of Anogeissus leiocarpa and Pterocarpus erinaceus using purposive sampling method. The soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-30cm and 30-60cm around the rhizosphere of the studied tree species and away from the rhizosphere used as a control. The method by Ibitoye (2008) was used to test for physico-chemical properties and method by Cheesborough (2006) was used for stocking, culturing, incubating and gram staining. Result for the mean physical properties shows, P. erinaceus had highest mean values for clay and silt which wasn’t significant (p= 0.067 and 0.381 respectively). A. leiocarpus had the second highest clay and silt. Sand and bulk density was highest for the control which was highly significant (p = 0.000 and p=0.044 respectively). For mean chemical properties among plant species, pH, EC, OC, OM, N, Na, Ca and CEC were highly significant (p

This study investigated the effects of potting media on seed germination and early seedling growth of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir at the Forestry Nursery in Jos, Nigeria. Using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates, laboratory-tested soil samples, top soil, sharp sand, sharp sand + top soil, sharp sand + top soil + cow dung and sharp sand + top soil + poultry droppings were used in various combinations to assess the growth parameters of P. erinaceus (germination percentage, emergence, plant height, number of leaves, length of leaves and stem diameter) for 12 weeks. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze collected data. Result indicated that sharp sand + top soil + poultry droppings had the highest nitrogen concentration (2.19%), sharp sand + top soil + cow dung (2.07%), sharp sand + top soil (1.50%), top soil (0.72%) and Sharp sand (0.38%). Potting media with poultry droppings recorded an overall higher percentage germination of 42.9% by the end of the germination period. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of collected data on combined soil aggregate on growth parameters indicated a significant (p

International audience; Seed size and the growth environment are important variables that influence seed germination, growth and biomass of seedlings and future tree harvest and should thus be taken into account in agroforestry and reforestation programmes for endangered species like Pterocarpus erinaceus. In the present study, to assess seedling germination and vigour in P. erinaceus as a function of seed size in two environments, 1080 seeds and 360 seedlings were evaluated at two separate sites in Côte d'Ivoire. The results show that large seeds had very high germination rates (up to 100%) and produced more vigorous plants better able to adapt to climate change. The maternal environment and seed size had a significant influence on seed germination (P

Background and Aims: The sylviculture of Pterocarpus erinaceus is still in its infancy due to lack of information on its biology. The aim of this study is to investigate its mycorrhizal status in order to better address its sylviculture. Place and Duration of Study: The study was performed on the field from May 2019 to December 2020 and data were analyzed at the laboratory from January to March 2021. Methodology: The frequency and intensity of mycorrhization were determined under a microscope after staining with trypan blue of fine roots collected at a depth of 20 cm under adult plants at 5 sites, 3 in the Guinean zone and 2 in the Sudanian zone in Togo. The spore density was obtained on soil samples taken at the same depth under the same trees. Results: Results indicate, without significant differences (P value = 0.166) among sites, and show that P. erinaceus is frequently mycorrhized (88% to 94%). However, there were significant differences (P value = 0.001) in spore densities between sites located in the Sudanian zone (16.53 ± 1.25 and 10.66 ± 0.71 spores per gram of soil – SPGS – respectively for the Fazao-Malfakassa and Oti-Kéran-Mandouri) and those located in the Guinean zone (4.54 ± 0.3, 2.93 ± 0.43 and 3.76 ± 1.01 SPGS respectively at Abdoulaye, Hahomegbe and Togodo). There are significant differences between mycorrhization intensities Togodo which has a mycorhization intensity of 33.52 ± 2.54 and other sites. The redundancy analysis carried out by taking into account substrates’ chemical characteristics shows that spore density remains low when phosphorus and nitrogen are important in the rhizosphere whereas the intensity of mycorhizations is low when PHKCl is high. Conclusion: This study provided evidence of mycorrhizal symbiosis in Pterocarpus erinaceus whether in the Sudanian or Guinean zone. Chemical quality of the growing substrate has an influence on parameters of mychorization. Further studies should therefore allow an assessment of the degree of dependence of this species with respect to the possible benefits associated with this symbiosis.

Measuring biomass and leaf area using non-destructive methods is of great interest to avoid plant degradation. These data are necessary for biomass allocation and estimation of carbon distribution in trees using functional and structural growth models such as GREENLAB. Organ biomass and leaf area are important parameters in plant physiology and production. They are used in structural and functional plant models to simulate tree architecture but are difficult to determine rapidly. Using stem length and internode diameter and leaf length and width to estimate them is a rapid, non-destructive field approach. We used the method on Khaya senegalensis, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Parkia biglobosa in Cote d'Ivoire. Internodes and leaves of the three species were sampled in 2019 and 2020 on three categories of axis in the architecture of individuals of different ages to maximize size variability. All statistical relationships found in the linear, logarithmic, polynomial and power models used to estimate the dry biomass of organs and leaf area were significant in all three species (P = 0.0001). The best models were obtained with the logarithmic transformation of the data. Three equation (linear, power and polynomial) were sufficient to estimate internode dry biomass (IDM), leaf dry biomass (LDM) and leaf area (LA) from the dimensions of the internodes (Volume: VL) and leaves (rachis length: RCL, number of primary leaflets: NLt, length: LLtL and width: LLtW of the largest primary leaflet in Khaya senegalensis and Pterocarpus erinaceus, then number of secondary leaflets: NSeLt, length: LSeLtL and width: LSeLtW of the largest secondary leaflet in Parkia biglobosa). In the field, the scientist will therefore make a choice according to his convenience among these proposed models. The best relationships between the measured organ dimensions and estimated parameters were defined by the following equations: IDM = 0.45*VL + 0.02, LDM = 1.07*NLt*LLtL*LLtW-2.74 and LA = 0.83*NLt*LLtL*LLtW or LA = 0.08*[NLt*LLtL*LLtW]2 + 1.13*[NLt*LLtL*LLtW]-0.27 for Khaya senegalensis; IDM = 1.15*VL0.26, LDM = 0.71*RCL*LLtL*LLtW-1.64 and LA = 0.74*NLt*LtL*LtW + 0.15 or LA = 0.03*[NLt*LLtL*LLtW]2 + 0.65*[NLt*LLtL*LLtW] + 0.23 for Pterocarpus erinaceus then IDM = 1.45*VL0.39, LDM = 0.23*[NSeLt*LSeLtL*LSeLtW*NLt]2–0.4*[NSeLt*LSeLtL*LSeLtW*NLt]-0.11 and LA = 1.81*[NSeLt*LSeLtL*LSeLtW*NLt]0.65 for Parkia biglobosa. This method can be applied to estimate the organ biomass and leaf area of species of the same family as the target species in an agroforestry system.

Because of the diversity of vessel pores in different hardwood species, they are important for wood species identification. In this paper, a Micro CT was used to collect wood images. The experiment was based on six wood types, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Dalbergia latifolia, Dalbergia frutescens var. tomentosa, Pterocarpus indicus, and Pterocarpus soyauxii. One-thousand cross-sectional images of 2042 px × 1640 px were collected for each species. One pixel represents 1.95 µm of the real physical dimension. The level set geometric active contour model was used to obtain the contour of the vessel pores. Combined with a variety of morphological processing methods, the binary images of the vessel pores were obtained. The features of the binary images were extracted for classification. Classifiers such as BP neural network and support vector machine were used, the number, roundness, area, perimeter, and other characteristic parameters of the vessel pores were classified, and the accuracy rate was more than 98.9%. The distribution and arrangement of the vessel pores of six kinds of hardwood were obtained through the level set geometric active contour model and image morphology. Then BP neural network and support vector machine were used for realizing the classification of hardwood species.

Aims: To investigate the trace metals, manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in vegetable samples (Telfairia occidentalis, Amaranthus viridis and Pterocarpus erinaceus) from three senatorial zones in Enugu state, Nigeria during dry season period. Place of Study: The leaf samples were collected from three senatorial zones (Enugu north, Enugu west and Enugu east) of Enugu State Nigeria. Methodology: The samples were collected fresh in January, February and March. Prior to analysis, each of the collected samples were dried at room temperature, pulverized using a ball mill and stored at room temperature. They were digested using the wet digestion method and individual metals analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The results of the findings revealed that the concentrations of trace metals in the plant tissues were in the following decreasing order Fe > Zn > Mn > Cr > Co > Cd. Amaranthus viridis had the highest accumulation of trace metals while P. erinaceus had the least. Enugu East senatorial zone had the highest accumulation of Mn and Co in all the vegetable samples while Enugu West senatorial zone showed the highest accumulation of Ni, Cr, Zn and Fe in all the plant tissues. Enugu north senatorial zone had the least level of trace metals accumulation in the three plant tissues. Manganese contamination could be a result of mining, battery and automobile fume pollution which dissolve into the soil and are absorbed by plants more effectively during dry seasons. Conclusion: To mitigate the unwanted increase of these metals in vegetables during the dry season, it is necessary to strengthen environmental waste disposal laws.

Afzelia africana, Entada africana, and Pterocarpus erinaceus are economically important tropical tree species in Africa. In this study, we performed morphological and molecular analyses to examine the mycorrhizal status of these species in their natural habitat in Benin, West Africa. Fine roots were examined using trypan blue staining. Putative arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were identified by extracting root DNA and sequencing the large subunit region of ribosomal DNA. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were positioned on a consensus phylogenetic tree produced using maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining models. Morphological analyses revealed vesicles, arbuscules, and inter- and intracellular hyphae in roots of all three tree species. Molecular analyses revealed 39 AMF OTUs, among which 18 were from roots of E. africana, 15 from P. erinaceus, and 9 from A. africana. These OTUs belonged to Glomus, Nanoglomus, Rhizoglomus, Sclerocystis, Septoglomus, and Scutellospora; two unidentified species belonged to the family Glomeraceae. This is the first study to report AMF in roots of A. africana, E. africana, and P. erinaceus in Benin, and opens new avenues for future studies.

In the Sudano-Sahelian zones of West Africa, climate controls the distribution and composition of spontaneous vegetation. The study was conducted in Niger and Burkina Faso. It aims to (1) analyze the ecological and floristic characteristics in a heterogeneous environment of 8 forests: (2) determine the woody groups of plant formations in P. erinaceus along an agroecological gradient. A total of 206 plots of 1000 m2 were established in 8 forests along an agroecological gradient in Niger and Burkina Faso. In each plot, dendrometric measurements such as DBH, Total height and two perpendicular diameters of the crown were performed on all woody individuals of all recorded species with DBH˃5 cm. Our study identified 117 species belonging to 25 families. The four most represented families are Fabaceae (31.8%), Combretaceae (16.8%), Malvaceae (7.9%) and Rubiaceae (6.9%). Our results revealed that Micro-phanerophytes is the dominating biological type in all forests. The Shannon index shows that the species richness and diversity increase with increasing humidity from the Sahelian to the Sudano-Guinean zone. Sorensen's index shows that the similarity is greater between the forests of Tiogo, Cassou and Laba in Burkina Faso. The Ascending Hierarchical Classification and the Non-Multidimensional Scaling made it possible to determine six large groupings of P. erinaceus. We conclude that P. erinaceus has great ecological amplitude and its distribution zone extends from the Sahelian to the Guinean zones while associating with a diversity of plant species.

In Lower Casamance, Pterocarpus erinaceus occupies a very important place in agroforestry parks. It is often grown in association with the most important cash crop of the area, groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.). Thus, the objective of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the interactions between trees and groundnut cultivation in agroforestry parks in Lower Casamance. To this end, in each of the two districts (Tenghory and Kataba 1) three Pterocarpus erinaceus trees were selected in three separate communes. For each P. erinaceus tree selected and following each of the four cardinal directions, three situations were defined: at R/2, at 1.5 R and at 2 R from the trunk, with R the radius of the crown. Thus, 12 yield squares were installed around each selected tree, for a total of 72 yield squares installed in the two districts. The parameters measured were the height of the peanut plants, the number of pods produced per plant, and the yield in flakes and pods. The results show that geographical orientation significantly influenced plant height (p = 0.004) but not the number of pods/plant (p = 0.6). As for the distance to the trunk of Pterocarpus erinaceus, it induced a significant variation in the number of pods/plant (p = 0.009) but did not induce a significant effect on the other parameters. Yields varied between 1.56 Tons M S /ha and 2.02 Tons M S /ha for the hay, and between 1.03 Tons M S /ha and 1.45 Tons M S/ha for the pods. The results of this study constitute a useful source of information for a better management of the productivity of the agroforestry parks of the department of Bignona.

Benin has a high-value plant resources among which galactogenic plants are neglected. This paper aimed at assessing the diversity and indigenous practices associated with in situ conservation of galactogenic plants in the agro-ecological areas of Benin. An ethnobotanical study was carried out involving 310 informants in five sociolinguistic groups. The relative frequency of citation and fidelity index were used to assess the galactogenic value of each species. A principal component analysis and correspondence analysis were performed respectively to depict the relationships between the use of galactogenic plants and the sociolinguistic groups and appreciate the relationships between sociolinguistic groups and local practices for in situ conservation of galactogenic plants. A total of 69 galactogenic species belonging to 57 genera and 25 families were identified. Results also showed that predominant species were Fabaceae (18.8%), Poaceae (11.6%), Euphorbiaceae (10.1%), Caesalpiniaceae, Combretaceae and Apocynaceae (7.2%). The most represented genera were Euphorbia (5.9%) and Ficus (4.5%). According to the informants, Afzelia africana Sm. ex Pers., Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton, Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Desv.) J.H.Kirkbr. & Wiersema, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. and Arachis hypogaea L. are the most effective galactogenic species for milk production with cow. Knowledge about galactogenic plants varied significantly across sociolinguistic groups, but not across agro-ecological zones and socio-professional profiles. Results also indicated that informants had poor knowledge of phenological time-axis of plant species, including A. africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. and Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. Local in situ conservation practices identified were protection of seedlings, preservation of the species in the fields and habitation, and plantation. Phenological studies of the most important galactogenic species are necessary to define appropriate strategies for their rational use and conservation.

Ptreocarpus erinaceus is a very useful forest tree due to its economic and medicinal values. It is also used as fodder for livestock due to its high nitrogen content. Its numerous use attract the high demand leading to it’s over exploitation. However, the tree is slow growing in nature. Hence, there is a need to look for in vitro methods for its mass propagation as an alternative method to raise healthy trees and sustain its availability. Media optimization gave two best performing media; Driver and kuniyuki Walnut (DKW) and Murashige and Skoog MS) which were further supplemented with different combinations of plant growth regulators (PGR)-Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) and Gibberellic Acid (GA3). Overall, the DKW media with BAP/GA3 at 1.0/0.5 produced the highest shoot length while BAP/GA3 at 4.0/0.0 gave the highest number of leaves after eight weeks of inoculation. Effective utilization of these experimental conditions could be the impetus towards mass propagation of this important tree species. Keywords: Ptreocarpus erinaceus, media optimization, Plant growth regulator, shoot length, mass propagation

The isolation of wood DNA is a crucial step in the process of genetic identification of wood tissues and the current wood DNA extraction method is a limiting factor. For some valuable wood samples sent for forensic identification, the size of allowable sample is limited. Additionally, the identification process is so lengthy that it often cannot meet the needs of law enforcement. This study describes an optimized protocol that minimizes the sample size and duration of DNA extraction without decreasing the yield of DNA. Experiments on sample mass per extraction, sample lysis time and DNA precipitation time were carried out by a series of gradient tests. The amounts of DNA extracted were evaluated by the copy numbers of target DNA barcodes (rbcL and matK) from droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). It is the first to apply ddPCR technology to quantify and evaluate accurately DNA extracted from wood. The results indicated that 300 mg is an optimal sample mass when keeping the volume of DNA lysis buffer constant, which reduces the sample usage by 40%. Five hours is the optimal sample lysis time. Extending the duration of DNA precipitation does not significantly increase the amplicon yield from wood specimens of Pterocarpus erinaceus. The protocol developed in this study shortens the period of DNA extraction from wood tissues by approximately 58%. The amplicon yields obtained using the optimized method in this study indicate good extraction efficiency, and the wood samples sent for certification were identified as Pterocarpus erinaceus using the barcode combination matK+ndhF-rpl32+ITS2. This method will be suitable for the broad applicability of DNA identification and conservation of global wood resources.

International audience; L'analyse rétrospective permet d'accéder à des séries de croissance à long terme pour comprendre et interpréter le fonctionnement structurel des couronnes d'arbres nécessaire à leur gestion durable. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer le développement et l'adaptation des pousses de la couronne chez Khaya senegalensis et Pterocarpus erinaceus à un environnement changeant en vue de l'établissement de parcelles permanentes. La morphologie des unités de croissance (UC) des axes de 420 individus jeunes, adultes et âgés a été analysée en plein soleil ou à l'ombre pendant la saison des pluies et la saison sèche dans sept endroits en Côte d'Ivoire. Les résultats ont montré que la morphologie des unités de croissance est un indicateur du choix des conditions de croissance. L'habitat hétérogène n'a pas eu d'effet significatif sur la morphologie des unités de croissance (P > 0,05) chez les deux espèces. La morphologie des unités de croissance varie d'un endroit (climat) à l'autre en raison de caractéristiques environnementales distinctes (P < 0,05). La partie sud du gradient (Toumodi et Bouaké dans la région centrale du pays) offre des zones favorables et donc prioritaires pour les programmes de reboisement basés sur les deux espèces. L'âge des individus a influencé le nombre de phytomères par unité de croissance (P < 0,05). Les jeunes individus (boutures) sont de bons idéotypes pour la sélection de génotypes résistants adaptés. Quelle que soit l'espèce, la saison des pluies augmente le taux de réussite de l'établissement des parcelles. Les unités de croissance des deux espèces sont pratiquement de la même taille (P > 0,05). Nos résultats pourraient constituer un guide de décision pour la sélection de milieux adaptés à la mise en œuvre de programmes de reboisement ou d'agroforesterie à base de Khaya senegalensis et Pterocarpus erinaceus, afin de conserver et de gérer durablement ces espèces dans le contexte actuel de changement climatique.

African kino tree (Pterocarpus erinaceus) plants are widely used species in afforestation programs but germination of seed and rate of seedling growth are major drawback. This study was therefore carried out to compare the effect of decomposed organic matter on the seedling growth rate of Pterocarpus erinaceus. The experiment was conducted in the screen house of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria for a period of six months. Seedlings of P. erinaceus were subjected to four treatments. Decomposed kitchen waste (KW), decomposed fruit waste (FrW), decomposed fish waste (FW) and decomposed White leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala (LL)) leaves and control (CN). The experiment was laid out using a Completely Randomized Design. Each treatment was replicated seven times. Results showed that there was significant difference (P≤0.05) among the height of P. erinaceus seedlings subjected to different fertilizer applications. The mean seedlings height ranged from 11.55 to 18.34 cm with the highest mean height from seedlings subjected to LL while seedlings without fertilizer application had the least mean height. There was no significant difference (P≤0.05) among the collar diameter of P. erinaceus seedlings subjected to different fertilizer applications. The mean seedlings collar diameter ranged from 1.27 to 1.94 mm with the highest mean collar diameter from seedlings subjected to FW while seedlings without fertilizer application (CN) had the least mean collar diameter. Results also indicated no significant difference (P≤0.05) among the number of leaves of P. erinaceus seedlings subjected to different fertilizer applications. The mean seedlings number of leaves ranged from 12 to 16 with the highest mean number of leaves from seedlings subjected to LL, KW and FW while seedlings without fertilizer application had the least mean number of leaves. It is recommended that application of decomposed organic matter for proper growth of Pterocarpus erinaceus seedlings should be encouraged and properly disseminated to farmers.

Pterocarpus erinaceus is a popular tree for medicinal and fodder uses in the Sudano-Sahelian belt of West Africa. It is also used for its wood. P. erinaceus is one of the most exploited tree species in many countries in West Africa. Planks and logs have been exported towards the South-West Asian countries for ten years. This paper analysed the demographic structure, the ecological characteristics of natural stands of P. erinaceus and level of human pressure they suffer in two agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso and Niger. Transects were installed in four forests of which two were in the Sahelian zone of Niger and two were in the Sudan region of Burkina Faso. Measurements and observations focused on the dendrometric parameters, soil type, vegetation type and the presence of termite mound. The traces of debarking and pruning were noted. Trenching traces have been categorized into 3 classes according to their intensity. The Sudanian zone shows higher densities than the Sahelian zone. The largest individuals of P. erinaceus (the mean diameter and the highest average height) are observed in the W regional park (57.7 ± 18.6 cm and 10.8 ± 2 m) although this park belongs to the Sahelian zone. In all areas, distribution of diameter classes are bells, characteristics of aging stands with predominance of older individuals. Dendrometric characteristics vary according to the agro-ecological zones, soil type and vegetation. Twenty-one percent of P. erinaceus inventoried in the Sahelian zone and 13% in Sudanian area are close to an anthill. P. erinaceus is a species of Sahelo-Sudanese areas, analysis of its demographic structure shows that individuals of small diameter are very poorly represented in all forests. The species is exploited much more in Sahelian zones for feed supplements. The soil type and vegetation type influence the growth of P. erinaceus. Indeed, the strongest individuals were observed on soil clay loam, sandy loam soil and woodland. Key word: Pterocarpus erinaceus, demographic characteristics, Sahelian and Sudanian zones, Niger, Burkina Faso.

The popular use of Pterocarpus erinaceus as antimicrobial prompted us to study the antifungal properties of its bark, leaves and roots against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus niger. Thus, the broth microdilution method was used to perform the test and only the root extract showed significant antifungal activity against A. fumigatus with value at MIC 16 μg/mL. This root extract was further partitioned by immiscible liquid-liquid extraction into five fractions. Successive chromatographic columns were used for the purification of the organic fractions which led to the isolation and the identification of five compounds including two new (3 and 5) and three known (1, 2, and 4). Their structures were established as muningin 1, the mixture of formononetin and pseudobaptigenin 2, boutotone 3, isoliquiritigenin 4, and boutomycone 5, by the mean of spectroscopic data compared to those reported in the literature. Compounds 1-5 were also tested on A. fumigatus against which 1, 2, and 5 showed antifungal effects with MIC values at 853.3, 28.7, and 452.3 μM, respectively. The obtained results indicated that the traditional use of this plant as antimicrobial could be related to its roots.

African rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus), a species estimated to be the most heavily traded tropical hardwood in the world is now considered endangered (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018). Concerns about its sustainability have resulted in several felling/export bans, listing and up-listing on CITES Appendices. Using export, import and seizure data over a period of 8 years, this study assesses the impact of felling/export ban and CITES designation on the exploitation and trade of African rosewood in Ghana. The results showed that, the felling/export ban, and CITES designation are yet to have a significant impact on reducing exploitation of rosewood in Ghana. While the ban was operative, exploitation has rather increased by 129%, and incidence of illegal trade has shot up by 120% in the CITES-designated period (2016–2018) compared with pre-CITES period (2010–2015). Factors contributing to the limited impact of the felling/export ban and CITES designation include abuse and misapplication of salvage permit, lack of monitoring and transparency, corruption, ‘lawful but awful’ trade, and non-compliance with key requirements of CITES Appendix II listing such as NDF. The findings of the paper demonstrate the important role of early monitoring and assessment in identifying gaps in forest law enforcement and governance that need to be addressed in order to ensure effective enforcement of CITES and domestic regulatory mechanisms targeted at sustainability of rosewood and other endangered species.

An in vivo digestibility trial was conducted to evaluate the digestibility of six forages. These were selected indigenous browse species and groundnut haulms in Lawra and Jirapa Districts of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Groundnut haulms served as a control due to its known good digestibility in small ruminants. Thirty West African Dwarf (WAD) young castrated billy goats with a mean age of 8 months were used. The average live body weight was 8.9 ± 0.1 kg. The animals were randomly assigned to the six treatments and replicated five times in a completely randomized design. They were confined in metabolism cages. The adaptation period was 3 weeks after which data was taken for 10 days. The treatments were the leaves and tiny twigs of T1 Annona senegalensis, T2 Ficus gnaphalocarpa, T3 Pericopsis laxiflora, T4 Pterocarpus erinaceus, T5 Afzelia africana, and T6 (control) Arachis hypogaea. Feed intake, faecal matter and urine output were measured. The results indicated that dry matter (DM) contents of the feedstuffs were less than 50% but crude protein (CP) contents were higher than the minimum required for sustaining ruminants. Neutral and acid detergent fibre contents were high, and F. gnaphalocarpa, in particular, contained a higher level of phosphorus (P). The amounts of feed intakes were typical of most fodder species with the exception of P. laxiflora and P. erinaceus, which were lower (P A. africana fibre appeared to be lower. Nitrogen retention was positive for all test species with the exception of P. laxiflora, which was negative. Mortality was recorded in animals on P. laxiflora, and the rate was high. Pericopsis laxiflora leaves, even though morphologically similar to the leaves of P. erinaceus, were not a suitable fodder. Ficus gnaphalocarpa appeared to be the overall best fodder species in terms of nutrient uptake.

The quest for the use of environmentally friendly preservatives for protection of wood against biodegradation is on the rise. This has necessitated the research to assess the efficiency of three partitions of wood extractives from Erythrophleum suaveolens and Pterocarpus erinaceus on wood-degrading termites (Macrotermes bellicosus). Three different concentrations (0.00, 0.02 and 0.04 mg/ml) of the plant extractive partitions of methanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol were used. Saccharum officinarum test blocks were used in exposing the treatments to termites collected from the wild. The trials were laid out as a factorial experiment in completely randomized design, and data collected were analyzed via a multivariate approach. The analyses of variance showed highly significant (P