Information Slip

Marcotting
Definition

Marcotting is a form of vegetative reproduction that

consists in inducing rooting of part of a tree branch.
After rooting is induced, the branch is cut and put in a
nursery to develop buds and become an independent
plant. Marcotting allows for the reproduction of exact
copies of the mother tree and for early fructification.

Steps involved in marcotting

Selection, laying and management of marcotts

choose the best trees (good taste, off-season
fructification, big fruits)
climb up the trees during the rainy season to choose
good branches (orthotropic branches with a diameter
of about 5 cm). Take a reasonable number of branches Picture 1
so that after severage of the marcotts, the tree would
not be over-trimmed
peel bark with a knife 5cm away from the crotch and
over a length of 5 to 10 cm
scratch the peeled surface to eliminate the slippery
part (cambium) (Picture 1)
cover the peeled part with well decomposed wet
sawdust or male flower of the oil palm and sheath with
a plastic paper. Fasten with elastic strings below and
above the wounded section. (Picture 2)
if there are squirrels and ants in the area, inspect your
Picture 2
marcotts once every two weeks and rehabilitate those
that have been destroyed.

Harvesting

When roots emerge (generally 2 to 4 months after

laying), the marcott should be severed with a saw to
separate it from the tree. Cut the upper part first with a
length allowance of 40 -50 cm. Then cut the branch just
below the marcott. (Picture 3).
Picture 3
 Reduce the number of leaves on the severed
marcott leaving just a few
Label and soak the marcott well, put it in a
moistened bag and transport it from the point
of harvest to the nursery.

Picture 1
Potting of the marcott

Fill the nursery bags with a substrate

composed of 1/3 sand and 2/3 black soil or
1/3 sand, 1/3 black soil and 1/3 compost.

Immerse the unwrapped marcott into a basin

of water. (Picture 4) Picture 4

Free the roots by carefully removing the

substrate between them.

Pot the marcott with a lot of care to avoid

damaging the roots. (Picture 5)

Picture 5

Care of marcotts

with beeswax, ash or mastic, cover the wounded parts of the marcott to limit infections.

water the marcott and place it inside the humidity chamber.

water regularly without flooding

when the buds appear, take out the marcott immediately and place it at a location that is
fresh and where temperature and humidity are close to those outside. This will enable the
marcotts to develop shoots and to harden-off.

one to two weeks later, place the marcott still at a location that is fresh but where there is
light sunshine to achieve greater acclimatization of the marcott.

when the leaves develop well, the marcott can be transplanted.

once the marcott is planted on the farm, it should be given the same attention and care
as other plants (phytosanitary protection, fertilisation, etc.)
 Marcotting material

rooting substrate (porous and capable of ladder

holding water), which may be decomposed
sawdust or decomposed male flower of the oil bucket
palm long rope
powder insecticide Saw
transparent plastic paper (20cm x 30cm) Polybags of 40 x30cm
elastic string (rubber) Black soil + sand + compost
very sharp knife Beeswax / ash /mastic

Marcotting material

Powdered
insecticide

Insecticide Transparent paper

plastic string
sharp knife
ladder

Bucket rope
saw
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For more information contact :

World Agroforestry Centre-West and Central Africa
Regional Office P.O. Box 16317 Yaounde-Cameroun
Tel: (237) 22.21.50.84 / 22.23.75.60
Fax: (237) 22.21.50.89 / 22.23.74.40
E-mail: icraf-aht@cgiar.org
Web site : worldagroforestrycentre.org/aht