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Dendrometric characteristics and possible improvement of the germinative performances of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) in the region of Tamanrasset Volume 15, issue 2, AVRIL-MAI-JUIN

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Authors
Département de foresterie, Faculté des sciences, Université Abou Bekr Belkaïd Tlemcen, Algérie <brama_trayahoo.fr> Institut national de la recherche forestière (INRF), Station de Tamanrasset, Algérie Centre de recherche scientifique et technique sur les régions arides (CRSTRA), BP 1682 RP 07000 Biskra, Algérie

Belonging to the Central Saharan subdivision, the Ahaggar is the southernmost and highest part of the Algerian Sahara. Its climate is contrasted and in the Tamanrasset region is characterised by an irregular and low rainfall regime (around 47.25 mm\year). The study of six natural stands of Balanites aegyptiaca shows that this species generally grows in wadi beds or banks, in smooth slope areas (< 5%) at a density of about 30 trees per hectare and up to altitudes not exceeding 1,500 m. The mean parameter values in these stands are an average girth of 68.86 cm and a height of 6.12 m. These values are highly variable depending on the ecological conditions prevailing in the stations. The epicarp prevents the germination of the seed while the mesocarp delays it. Soaking the seeds in cold water for 72 hours or in tepid water for 24 hours, with the epicarp and pulp removed, yields a germination rate of about 76.66 to 80% at a time span of about 9 days.