Effets du tractus digestif de chèvres sur la germination de Zizyphus mauritiana Lam

Abstract

Effect of Goat Digestive Tractus on the Seeds Germination of Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. The jujube tree (Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.), a plant of numerous uses, native of Africa is threatened to extinction. The presence of lignified endocarpe scarcely permeable to water and to air inhibits seed germination and consequentiy limits its regeneration. Its preservation requires good knowledge of various factors controlling seed dormancy. The mechanisms involved in breaking seed dormancy were studied in light of natural scarification. The results showed that isolated seeds obtained after breaking endocarpe gave the highest germination rate (88 %). In this case, seeds germinated sooner, five days after sowing. The fruits which have passed in transit in the digestive tube of goat presented germination rate (69 %) significantly more important than those of intact fruits (61 %). However, the germination rate of ingested fruits was, in average, more important than those of the seeds with endocarpe and no ingested (65 %).

Keywords

• Seeds
• Germination
• Seed dormancy
• Breaking seed dormancy
• Goat digestive tract
• Zizyphus mauritiana