Compost Derived from Sugar Cane Processing Waste Better Improves Baillonella toxisperma P. Growth in Nkoteng-Cameroon Locality

Aims: Baillonella toxisperma P. (moabi) is a woody which belongs to Sapotaceae family. It is endemic to the forests of Congo Basin, and therefore to Cameroonian forests. In Cameroon, B. toxiperma undergoes anthropogenic pressure which may lead to its complete disappearance. In this respect, the establishment of an appropriate technical route for regeneration of this species, which becomes rare because of overexploitation, is a necessity. This study aimed to improve the regeneration of moabi while contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Study Design: A random device design with 5 treatments (control, compost derived sugar cane processing waste, bagasse, molasses and bagasse-molasses mixture) was used.

Place and Duration of Study: Under Bimodal Forest climate in the Central Cameroon region, between September, 2018 and April 2019.

Methodology: The breaking of moabi seeds dormancy, physico-chemical properties of soil and produced compost, and growth parameters (plant height, foliar production, diameter of stem, and dry biomass of plant) were evaluated to determine the development of the seedlings.

Results: Moabi seeds stored cold at 4°C for 48 hours before sowing germinated better. Compost significantly (p˂0.001) increased moabi plants growth compared to bagasse, molasses, bagasse-molasses mixture. Dry biomass of treated moabi plants by compost, bagasse, bagasse-molasses mixture and molasses were 1.80; 1.13; 1.78; 1.40 fold greater than those of unfertilized plants respectively.

Conclusion: The use of sugar cane compounds works as a double benefit because in addition to using compounds previously discarded, we are adding potent fertilizers that act strongly on moabi growth.