Abstract

Nurseries are used to supply plants for domestic purpose and for reforestation. However, few studies have focused on forest tree species cultivated by horticulturists for domestic use and for reforestation in African countries such as Burkina Faso. With the aim of contributing to better knowledge and participating in better use of forest tree species in nurseries, 37 nurseries were identified and studied in two cities, Bobo-Dioulasso in the Sudanian zone and Dori in the Sahelian zone. The floristic inventory revealed that in the Sudanian zone, 243 plant species are cultivated, while in the Sahel, 90 species are recorded. However, the availability of forest tree species cultivated in nurseries for domestic use and for reforestation is related to climate conditions. In fact, 24.28% of produced species were forested in the Sudanian zone, while in the sahel, they represented 73.33%. Furthermore, among forest tree species recorded at the sudanian zone, 32.20% are indigenous compared to 65.15% at the Sahel. The financial analysis indicated an RBC = 1.42 and 1.02 in the Sudanian and Sahelian zones, respectively. Consequently, horticulture is more profitable in the Sudanian zone compared to the Sahelian zone. If nurseries are economically beneficial, the production of forest tree species intended for domestic use and mainly for reforestation contributes to the preservation of forest resources.

Key words: Burkina Faso, nursery, forest tree species, preservation, horticulture, benefits.