OA16766A - Process to boost the growth of shea plants and the production of fruits. - Google Patents

Abstract

Process for obtaining shea by grafting to reduce the naturally slow and long and long juvenilization phase and fruit setting from 20 years to 4 years. The invention relates to a process for obtaining high-performance shea fruits 5 years after the grafting operation. The process consists of collecting scions from shea trees "plus" (1) conditioning the scions, (2) removing the bark plaque on the rootstock until reaching the cambium-generating bases, (3) from the simple beveled size of the graft to the generating bases, (4) from the plating of the graft on the rootstock (5) at the level of the bandage zone of the graft forming the grafting mode by single veneer (6). The process according to the invention is particularly intended for obtaining shea by grafting intended for obtaining shea by grafting which is more efficient and more productive in a few years (5 years) instead of 20 years traditionally.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for promoting the growth of shea plants and the production of fruits. Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn f. - Sapotaceae - Dicotyledons), a semi-domesticated fruit tree from sub-Saharan Africa is very useful in terms of food, agriculture, therapy, climate and the environment. It contributes enormously to local, national, regional and international income. Despite this importance, shea parks are characterized by significant degradation as follows: low density of trees; aging of trees; low natural regeneration; extensive grazing; shifting cultivation on slash and burn; vegetation fires; thermopile insect attacks due to the consequences of climate change. Traditionally, it takes 15 to 20 years for the shea tree to produce its first fruit.

These constraints put together are factors that discourage farmers to plant shea, if in the very near future an effective method of multiplication and planting actions of more productive rootstocks is not developed.

The method according to the invention overcomes this drawback and propagates the tree. It comprises in fact according to a first characteristic, a simple branch of the graft or scion (N ° 1, see plate l / V) or aerial part which is transferred to the rootstock or rhizome or underground part in order to create a link between the cells of the graft, in active division, and those of the rootstock.

The operation is carried out by a grafter (N ° 2, see plate l / V) who takes the graft from the mother tree (N ° 3, see plate l / V) using a secateurs (N ^q 4, see plate l / V).

The aerial or top part of the grafting, a single twig, will provide the growing system, branches, leaves and ultimately fruit.

The underground part is made up of wild animals grown in the farmer's plots.

The cambium-generating bases of these two parts are intimately united by bandage

growth of shea plants and fruit production in a few years.

According to particular embodiments:

The rootstock or wild plant (N ° 1, see plate III / V) can be found in a pot in a polyethylene bag (N ° 2, see plate III / V) in the nursery, naturally in cultivated or fallow land to carry out the grafting of shea . It is chosen on the basis of physical and health characteristics (growth and complete absence of parasites). It must be at least 50 cm high and 8 to 9 cm in diameter at the neck. It can also be educated in a nursery;

The scion is chosen according to the farmer's “tree plus” criteria, which are as follows: criteria of flavor, fruit size and nut; the fat content of the nut; the absence of all traces of disease; resistance or tolerance to attack by insects and plant pests; regular fruiting. Shea grafts are taken from twigs between six (6) and twelve (12) months old on the variety to be propagated, with sharp and clean tools. They are then locked up and immediately placed in cement papers or moist newspapers;

The process of grafting by a simple veneer is carried out by an oblique cut of 2-3 cm (N ° 1, see plate IV / V) operated on the part of the less knotty body of the rootstock so as to expose the generating bases. cambium;

Cut the graft into a simple bevel at the same level;

Make sure that the wound at the level of the rootstock and that of the graft coincide;

Perfectly coincide the two levels on either side (N ° 2, see plate IV / V);

Attach, then bandage (N ° 1, see plate V / V) the device, three weeks later; the operator checks the recovery;

At the resumption, practice the weaning of the graft, by cutting down the rootstock 10 cm above the union;

Remove suckers every month for 2 to 3 years, until the graft is free;

The scion has an average monthly growth of 10 cm in cultivated land;

Precautions should be taken regarding the following:

The removal or unwinding of the tape and the bandage allows a harmonious development of the plants;

Removal of lateral rootstock growth suckers; in fact, these rejections prevent the growth of the graft;

The temperature thresholds for good growth are between 15 and 30 ° C;

The sufficient supply of water and nutrients to maintain vigorous growth of the plant.

Claims (5)

(1) Invention according to which the method for obtaining shea by grafting characterized in that it comprises a collection of grafts (1) by a grafter (2) from a mother tree (3) using pruning shears (4), conditioning of the grafts (5) removing the bark plate on the rootstock (6), placing the graft on a rootstock (7) in a pot or in the field after a obliquely cutting (8) of the rootstock and bringing the rootstock and the graft into contact (9) by bandaging the grafting zone (10). (2) The invention of claim 1, characterized in that it is possible that the collected graft (1) packaged in the fridge and slightly bevelled (2) constitutes an element of the process. (3) Invention according to claims (1 and 2), characterized in that a notch is made on the rootstock (3) to be easily applied to the graft (2). (4) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rootstock (3) and the graft (2) are brought together using a plastic film on the grafting zone (4). (5) The method of claim 4 characterized in that the rootstock (3) plated on the graft are an appropriate physiological state to constitute the grafting of shea by simple plating (5).