An e-publication by the World Agroforestry Centre
AGROFORESTRY EXTENSION MANUAL FOR KENYA
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An e-publication by the World Agroforestry Centre |
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AGROFORESTRY EXTENSION MANUAL FOR KENYA
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9. TREE PROPAGATION METHOD 9.4 Cuttings Another simple and cheap method of propagating trees that can easily be managed by the farmer and his family is propagation by use of cuttings. A cutting is a section of stem which will strike roots when it is placed in the soil, and only certain species have the ability to reproduce in this way. This method can be recommended both for high-potential areas and ASAL areas, but only for a limited number of tree species. Some important species from which cuttings can be taken are:
Apart from being a cheap and simple method, use of cuttings has other advantages. A tree that has grown from a cutting, or any other form of vegetative propagation, will be genetically identical to the "parent" tree. This is important since it allows a simple form of selection and propagation of trees with desired characteristics. Cuttings can be both stem cuttings and root cuttings. Many species, and a majority in ASAL areas, e.g. Balanites aegyptiaca, have the ability to produce shoots from roots that are exposed. Such shoots can be separated from the mother plant and planted elsewhere. Another option is to take care of coppice shoots and root suckers which many species produce vigorously after a tree has been cut or damaged. The size of stem cuttings can vary. Some species, e.g. Commiphora spp., grow well from cuttings of 1 m or more. Such large cuttings are, of course, quite resistant to damage by livestock. Most species, however, grow best from woody cuttings that are 30-50 cm long and 1-2 cm in diameter. Best results are achieved if approximately two-thirds of the length of the cutting are in the ground and it has at least two buds under the soil surface. Planting should be done at a slanting angle to speed up growth, and the buds must be facing upwards. Cuttings planted upside down will not grow. The planting site must be well prepared, weeded and protected from livestock to get good results. If possible, cuttings should be planted immediately after being cut from the parent tree. If this is not possible, due to distance for example, the cuttings must be protected from drying out by wrapping them in a wet sack and keeping them in a cool place. All these methods are simple and highly recommended since farmers can grow more trees without having to establish nurseries or buy seedlings. If a new species is to be introduced to an area it may be a good idea initially to grow cuttings in pots. These cuttings grown in nurseries are better able to withstand transportation and delays in planting than fresh cuttings. For species that can be propogated both from seeds and from cuttings, cuttings normally grow faster.
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