Correlations between some phenotypic characters of Prunus africana and chemical characteristics of soils in Cameroon

Prunus africana (Hook. f.) Kalkman is one of vulnerable biodiversity components mainly used for medicinal purpose in Africa. In Cameroon, farmers are not aware of the soil types in which this plant yields best so far as its phenotypic parameters are concerned. In seeking for a solution to this problem, this study was carried out at Manengouba mountain forest and within Bamenda highland area with the aim to quantify the phenotypic characters of P. africana and appreciate the correlations between them and chemical characteristics of the soil. The sample was made up of 80 trees, 2085 leaves randomly collected and 6 soils samples from 6 plots. Nine phenotypic characters quantified among others were; the height of the first big branch which varied from 1.97 to 2.35 m, the weight of the leaf from 252.20 to 380.45 mg and its area from 3 309 to 3935 mm². Pearson test shows 13 significant correlations between the phenotypic characters of P. africana and chemical characteristics of the soils. Multivariable analysis shows the grouping of trees. It was established that P. africana is a calcifuges’ plant as far as growth of leaf surface is concerned while nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus favored the longitudinal and radial growth of the tree stem respectively.