Analyse de deux itinéraires sylvicoles de Pericopsis elata (Harms) Meeuwen (Fabaceae) dans la réserve forestière de la Kienké-Sud (Cameroun)

Abstract

Pericopsis elata is a heliophilic species of high commercial value listed in Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Silvicultural experiments on this species were initiated by the Tropical Forest Technical Center (TFTC) in 1972 and 1975 in the South Kienké Reserve within the framework of a research programme on silviculture by planting this species. Two plantations had been established following the recruiting method with 3 m × 3 m and 3 m × 4 m spacings. The objective of this work is to evaluate, on the basis of four structural parameters, the most suitable spacing for plantation silviculture of Pericopsis elata following the re-recruit method. A 100% exhaustive inventory was carried out in each plantation. During this inventory, diameters and heights were taken. Structural and dendrometric parameters of each plantation were analysed. The initial spacing influences the structure of the plantations by affecting the morphology of the stems and their performance in terms of growth in diameter. In addition, too small a spacing favours growth inequalities, thus increasing asymmetrical competition. Thus, 3 m × 4 m spacing would be best suited to the silviculture of Pericopsis elata in plantations using the re-growth method.

Keywords

• growth
• Cameroon
• mortality
• Pericopsis elata
• initial spacing
• stem morphology