Abstract

In Burkina Faso the demand for fuelwood far exceeds its availability and the annual deficit of woody trees is estimated to be a million cubic meters. The authorities have taken steps to improve this serious situation by implementing a major reforestation program. As part of the 1986-1990 Five-year Plan, 24,000 hectares, or l0 million trees will be planted annually. This reforestation effort requires that the seeds used be of sufficient quantity and good genetic potential. The object of this project is to assist the Ministry in charge of the reforestation program in the collection, presentation, and dissemination of the seeds selected from major tree species. These seeds will also be used to meet the needs of neighboring countries in the Sahel region where ecological conditions are similar to those in Burkina Faso.

Post-Project Summary

The research team explored the natural areas in Burkina Faso and located the following seed-bearing stands: 22 stands of Acacia senegal; 50 stands of A. nilotica var. adansonii; 7 stands of Bauhinia rufescens; and 63 stands of Ziziphus mauritiana. The researchers established 2.4 ha of A. nilotica var. tomentosa, 0.625 ha of A. senegal, 1.2 ha of B. rufescens and 1.2 ha of Z. mauritiana as protective stands. They made several attempts to identify and develop appropriate containers (plastic bags, salvaged tin cans) for the nursery production of plants. They determined the optimum seedling dates for the four main reforestation species (A. nilotica, A. albida, Gmelina arborea, A. senegal); improved the composting techniques; identified the optimum stages for planting out A. nilotica and Parkia biglobosa; and determined the optimum density of G. arborea seedlings in planting beds. Other studies have concerned the pre-treatments for accelerating germination, the effect of temperature and light on germination, and the optimum conditions for maintaining seeds. The results have enabled nursery growers to obtain better quality plants and lower production costs while increasing the success rate in nurseries.

With regard to phytopathology, the researchers conducted a study of attacks on the stock plants of A. albida, A. nilotica, and A. senegal, in cooperation with the University of Ouagadougou. They completed an inventory of the parasitic insects of the seeds of these species throughout the territory and a special study of the different periods during which attacks appear on the seeds of A. nilotica var. adansonii. Finally, they completed a major inventory of the various pathologies in 11 pilot nurseries dispersed around the country.

With regard to training, as part of the project wo engineering students prepared their final-year thesis at the National Institute of Rural Development, University of Ouagadougou, as well as one student from the National College of Forestry at Dinderesso. A retraining seminar was also organized for forestry officers on nursery techniques. Work continued in a second phase (90-0002).

Recipient Institution(s)