Impact of Media on Air-layering in the Propagation of Dennettia tripetala (Annonaceae), and Its Micro-morphological Characteristics

Abstract

A systematic study was carried out on Dennettia tripetala to establish an alternative method of propagation and further provide complementary characters for the identification of the species especially in sterile conditions. All methods followed those of previous authors of related studies. Findings from the silvicultural aspect revealed that it is very possible to successfully propagate the species via air-layering, using good quality materials. Top soil performed better than saw dust substrate. The roots appeared and developed much faster than those of the saw dust, before it was harvested and potted. Micro-morphological examination of the foliar epidermises also showed that the species is hypostomatic, while epidermal cells are predominantly polygonal, measuring 37.1 x 22.0 µm and 30.4 x 15.4 µm in size on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces respectively, and with straight to sinose anticlinal walls. Stomata is anomocytic, up to 32.2 x 17.6 µm in size. Wood is vesseless with tyloses present and gums totally absent. Ray multiserate. Pollen grains are predominantly spheroidal with scabrate surface and thin exine. Further studies on other aspects may reveal more useful information about D. tripetala.

Keywords

• conservation; Dennettia; propagation; silviculture; taxonomy