Inventory of Loranthaceae parasites of Bayangam fruit trees in West Cameroon

Background

Loranthaceae parasitism is a limiting factor for crops as well as many other plant diseases and pests. The present study was conducted to make an inventory of Loranthaceae present on fruit trees species grown in the Bayangam locality. It also aimed to record the damage caused by these pests on the host plants. To achieve this, 40 transects of 100 m length and 50 m width were set up in the locality of Bayangam. Observations were made on the presence or absence of the parasites on the host plants, the number of Loranthaceae clumps carried by each parasitized tree, the taxon of the parasite, and the damage caused by the Loranthaceae on the host plants.

Results

The inventories identified six species of Loranthaceae belonging to four genera. These were Globimetula braunii, Globimetula dinklagei, Globimetula oreophila, Helixanthera mannii, Phragmanthera capitata, and Tapinanthus globiferus. Parasite densities varied among species and increased with the circumference of host plants. Globimetula braunii and Phragmanthera capitata were the most invasive species on host plants.

Conclusion

Fruit trees in Bayangam are largely parasitized by Loranthaceae. The only control method used by the populations is pruning of parasitized branches during drought periods. This method is not effective because of the large number of trees and branches parasitized. The identification of Loranthaceae-resistant cultivars in fruit tree production is an interesting element in the perspective of control.