Herbage yields and quality in four woody forage plants in a subhumid environment in Ghana

There is keen interest in feeding small ruminants with herbage from forage shrubs and trees in Ghana because of the general perception about these plants being perennial and remaining green for lengthy periods. In this study, plant growth rate, herbage production and quality of two indigenous woody plants, Griffonia simplicifolia and Baphia nitida were compared to those of two introduced shrubs, Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium. Gliricidia sepium achieved the greatest height and produced the highest herbage dry matter (2t/ha) compared to average production of 0.15 t/ha by the three other species. Gliricidia sepium herbage also had high contents of crude protein, calcium and ash. In regrowth herbage production at cutting intervals of 6 and 12 weeks, Gliricidia sepium again outperformed the three other species, however, there was little difference in herbage yield among the three other species. In all species one harvest at 12 weeks regrowth interval produced more herbage than the combination of yield of two six week interval harvests. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dry matter herbage productivity and aspects of chemical composition in four forage shrub legumes at a subhumid site in Ghana

Four forage shrubsLeucaena leucocphala, Gliricidia sepium, Flemingia macrophylla andCajanus cajan were evaluated for herbage productivity in two years after they had been established in hedgerows 4 m apart and within row spacing of 15 cm. Herbage dry matter yields were assessed after harvesting at 1 and 2 years of primary growth. During the third year regrowth, yields at cutting intervals of 6 weeks (3 cuts), 12 weeks (1 cut) and 18 weeks were assessed for the four species.Gliricidia sepium consistently outyielded the three other species in regrowth yields with yields exceeding 2 t/ha. In CP%, Ca% and P% analysisLeucaena leucocephala was outstanding with the highest values being 29.0%, 1.74% and 0.36% respectively.     

Shrubby legumes for fallow improvement in northern Laos: establishment, fallow biomass, weeds, rice yield, and soil properties

An experiment was carried out in a slash-and-burn production system in northern Laos to evaluate legume establishment methods and effects of legume species on fallow vegetation, weeds, yield of upland rice, and soil parameters. Cajanus cajan, Calliandra calothyrsus, Crotalaria anagyroides, Flemingia congesta, Leucaena leucocephala, and Sesbania sesban were dibbled separately or mixed with rice. Legume and planting method had no effect on rice yield. Legume establishment was slightly improved and vigor after rice harvest was higher when planted in separate hills. Compared to control (no legume), the above ground fallow biomass observed 13 months after establishment, consisting mostly of Chromolaena odorata, was reduced by 68% with C. anagyroides and by 40% with L. leucocephala, while other species had no effect. Most of the C. cajan and S. sesban plants died. In March 1995, 22 months after planting, the biomass was 0.21, 0.25, 1.62 and 2.56 kg m^-2 for F. congesta, C. calothyrsus, C. anagyroides, and L. leucocephala, respectively. Legume species had no effect on rice yield or weed biomass in the rice crop. The species tested can influence fallow vegetation but do not allow for field preparation without burning. Compared to mulching, burning of residue reduced weed biomass by 42%, soil organic C by 9% and the C/N ratio by 6% but increased extractable P by 90% and pH by 8%. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The potential of alley cropping im improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia II. Maize production

Theee trials to evaluat the potential of alley cropping in maize production on the low fertility, acidic soils in Northern Zambia are described. Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, Sesbania sesban, Albizia falcataria, Fleminga congesta, and Cassia spectabilis, were grown in alley crops with hybrid maize and soybean. All trials received recommended rates of P and K fertiliser; N fertiliser was applied at three rates as a subplot treatment. One trial received lime before establishment.Only in the limed trial was there a significant improvement in maize yields through alley cropping; when no N fertiliser was applied, incorporation of Leucaena leucocephala prunings resulted in an increase of up to 95% in yields, with a smaller improvement being produced by Flemingia congesta. There was a significant correlation between the quantity of prunings biomass applied and the proportional increase in maize yields over the control treatment. It is suggested that the lack of effect of most of the tree species on crop yields was due to low biomass production.An economic analysis showed that alley cropping with limed Leucaena was only profitable when fertiliser costs were high in relation to maize prices. However, lime is both expensive and difficult to obtain and transport for most small scale farmers in the region, and is therefore not a practical recommendation. It is suggested that future alley cropping research should focus on screening a wider range of tree species, including other species of Leucaena, for acid tolerance and higher biomass production.     

Screening woody and shrub legumes for growth, nodulation and nitrogen-fixation potential in two contrasting soils

In order to identify for alley cropping new candidate species with high biomass and nitrogen-fixing potential, a screening study was conducted on ten woody and shrub legumes (Acacia auriculiformis, Albizia lebbeck, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena diversifolia, L. leucocephala cv. K28 and cv. K636, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea and Tephorsia candida) for 6 months using an acid Ultisol and a non-acid Alfisol. A wide interspecific variability of legumes appeared within soil types, and there were significant species-by-soil interactions for many parameters in this study. In the acid Ultisol, plant growth in height and grith, nodule numbers, nitrogen yield and N₂-fixing potential were significantly (P = 0.05) lower than those in the Alfisol. While Albizia lebbeck was outstanding in both acid and non-acid soil conditions for most performance criteria, L. leucocephala cv. K28 was most sensitive to soil acidity with 41.7% of total nitrogen yield in the Ultisol relative to that accumulated in the Alfisol. In addition to L. leucocephala cv. K28 and G. sepium, the most common hedgerow species, A. lebbeck, L. leucocephala cv. K636, L. diversifolia on Alfisol, and A. lebbeck, L. leucocephala cv. K636, L. diversifolia, Tephrosia candida and Cajanus cajan on acid Ultisol, could be considered promising and thus, worthy of further site adaptability trials.     

Leaf dry matter productivity of three selected perennial leguminous species in humid tropical Ivory Coast

Leaf dry matter productivity has been measured at the end of regrowth cycles of 3 months for stands ofleucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium andFlemingia macrophylla, all three species belonging to the Leguminosae. The effective period of observation was minimally 24 months, or 8 regrowth cycles, after a period of establishment of slightly more than a year. Using systematic trial designs, originally developed by NELDER, yield figures have been acquired for a broad range of plant densities. At a plant density of 10,000 trees per hectare the average yearly leaf DM productivity amounted to 15.4 ton forLeucaena leucocephala, 12.4 ton forFlemingia macrophylla and 10.5 ton forGliricidia sepium.Productivity figures and leaf area indices are compared with those of relevant cropping systems.     

Site factors associated with the performance of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit and Sesbania sesban (L.) Merill in pure and mixed stands in the northern highlands of Rwanda

Alley cropping with leguminous tree hedgerows planted on contours is an emerging practice in the northern highlands of Rwanda where field slopes range from 4 to 76% and loss of soil fertility due to erosion is the principal impediment to food production. Sesbania sesban and Leucaena Leucocephala, the two woody species recommended for alley cropping in the region, do not perform equally well across sites: Sesbania is faster growing, But is more sensitive to pruning than Leucaena. We tested the hypothesis that the two species could be grown together to make the best use of their relative advantages. Species were planted in pure and 1:1 mixed stands at 26 sites to give a range of altitudes, slopes, azimuths and soil fertility levels representative of the region. During two cropping seasons’ growth spanning 19 months, in pure stands, Sesbania produced more biomass, grew taller and had thicker stems than Leucaena: for the same species, stem diameter and height were not different in pure and mixed stands. Biomass and number of poles from 1:1 mixed stands of Sesbania and Leucaena were equivalent to biomass and pole numbers from Sesbania in pure stands. However, mixed stands produced more biomass and pole numbers than Leucaena in pure stands. Growth of S. sesban was positively correlated with soil pH, potassium and altitude; whereas, growth of L. leucocephala was positively correlated with soil phosphorus, but negatively correlated with field slope. All other soil and site variables tested were nonsignificant. The study suggests that farmers can plant S. sesban and L. leucocephala in 1:1 mixtures in an alley cropping setting and retain levels of biomass production and bean pole numbers equivalent to those from S. sesban alone without compromising future growth and production by Leucaena. As well, the impact of pH, K and P on growth and production of Sesbania and Leucaena as a function of field slope and altitude should be determined before extending their use to other regions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Allelopathic effects of leaf litters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus camaldulensis</Emphasis> on some forest and agricultural crops

Allelopathic effects of different doses of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf litters were investigated through an experiment in the green house of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Three popular agricultural crops： Falen （Vigna unguiculata）, Chickpea （Cicer arietinum）, Arhor （Cajanus cajan） and two widely used plantation trees： Sada koroi （Albizia procera） and Ipil ipil （Leucaena leucocephala） were selected as bioassay species. Experiment was set on tray at room temperature 27℃. The effects of different doses of leaf litter extracts were compared to the control. Results suggest that leaf litters of E, camaldulesis induced inhibitory effects, It was also found that the effect depend on concentration of extract and litterfall, type of receiver species. Higher concentration of the materials had the higher effect and vice versa. Though all the bioassay species were suppressed some of them showed better performance. Vigna unguiculata, Cicer arietinum are recommended in agroforestry based on this present Experiment output. In mixed plantation, Leucaena leucochephala is a better choice while compared to Albizia procera.     

Alley cropping of maize with nine leguminous trees

A maize-leguminous tree alley cropping system was studied on N-deficient soils in Hawaii to determine mulch effects on maize yields. Calliandra calothyrsus, Cajanus cajan, Cassia siamea, Gliciridia sepium, KX1 — Leucaena hybrid (L. pallida X L. diversifolia), L. leucocephala, L. pallida, L. salvadorensis, and Sesbania sesban were evaluated for green manure and yield of intercropped maize. S. sesban, G. sepium, L. pallida, and KX1 produced between 5 and 12 dry t/ha/yr green manure with nitrogen yields between 140 and 275 kg N/ha in 4 prunings. Maize yields responded linearly to nitrogen applied as green manure. Maize yield increased 12 kg for each kg of nitrogen applied. Additions of prunings from hedge rows were able to support maize grain yields at about 1800 kg/ha for two consecutive cropping seasons, while control plot yields averaged less than 600 kg/ha. Maize yields reflected the amount of nitrogen applied as green manure, regardless of tree species from which the nitrogen was derived. In March, maize yields decreased 34% in the row spaced 40 cm from the hedge, relative to the one spaced 110 cm away. In July, increasing the distance away from the hedge to 60 cm and coppicing the hedge earlier in maize growth, significantly improved grain yield. Grain yields decreased only 10% in the row closest to the trees.     

Fodder Yield and Nutritive Value of Browse Species in West African Humid Tropics: Response to Age of Coppice Regrowth

Several indigenous and exotic browse species with potential for development of agroforestry technologies in the humid tropics of west Africa have been identified, but information on their fodder yield and quality, and how this is influenced by age of coppice regrowth is scanty and limited to a few species. The effect of age of coppice of regrowth (8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks) on fodder yield, and concentrations of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (lignin), and acid detergent ash (ADF-Ash) in the fodder of 27 browse species was studied in the humid forest zone of southeastern Nigeria. The fodder yield, and concentrations of NDF, ADF and lignin increased (p<0.05), while CP declined (p<0.05) with increasing age of coppice regrowth for all the browse species. The ADF-Ash concentrations of eight browse species increased linearly (p<0.05), while that of 19 species followed a quadratic (p<0.05) trend in response to increasing age of coppice regrowth. Bauhinia monandra, Calliandra calothyrsus, Dalbergia sissoo, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Grewia pubescens, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna spectabilis, and Terminalia superba were identified to have high potential for the development of integrated crop-livestock agroforestry technologies in the west African humid tropics based on fodder yield, concentrations of CP, NDF, ADF and lignin. Coppice regrowth of the promising species could be harvested between 16 and 20 weeks to maximize yield and quality of the fodder. The results showed that fodder yield and chemical composition could be used to identify browse species for the development of agroforestry technologies for smallholder crop-livestock farming systems.     

银合欢落叶层对苗圃生长的森林一农田作物的他感作用(英文)

利用随机区组试验评估了孟加拉国吉大港大学苗圃内的银合欢落叶对森林作物种白格、黄金檀和农田作物种长豇豆、鹰嘴豆和木豆的他感作用。结果表明,凋落叶诱导抑制作物的萌发和生长,该抑制作用依赖于萃取物浓度、凋落物及受体物种类型。萃取物浓度越高则他感作用越强。受体植物的生长响应随应用的凋落叶而变化。低浓度(10g·m-2)凋落叶对农田作物嫩芽生长有促进作用,而其他浓度的凋落叶则呈现明显的抑制作用,施用的凋落叶浓度越大抑制作用也越大。但是不同处理所表现出的抑制趋势并不均一,根系生长受到的影响大于嫩芽。图3表4参34。     

Growth and yield of eight agroforestry tree species in line plantings in Western Kenya and their effect on maize yields and soil properties

Between October 1988 and August 1992, field experiments were carried out in West Kenya to evaluate the suitability of Leucaena leucocephala, L. collinsii, Gliricidia sepium, Calliandra calothyrsus, Sesbania sesban, S. grandiflora, Senna siamea and S. spectabilis to provide a range of agroforestry products and services. The initial objective was to establish the growth rates and wood and leaf yields of these tree species, when planted in single rows. After the initial evaluation, it was evident that valuable additional information could be collected if the trees were converted to hedges and their effect on intercropped maize and soils was studied. At 21 months after planting, different species and provenances ranged in height between 3.5 and 6 m and varied considerably in phenotypic appearance. Wood production (1988–1990) varied from 3 to 33.8 t ha⁻¹ and leaf production varied from 0.62 to 10.1 t ha⁻¹. During intercropping (1990–1992), leaf production varied from 0 to 10.9 t ha⁻¹. Maize yields were higher in association with Leucaena and Gliricidia than with Calliandra, Sesbania and Senna. Cumulative maize grain and stover yields over four seasons were positively correlated with the total amount of tree leaves applied (r² range, 0.70–0.95). The effect of tree leaf mulch on crop yields decreased over time for all species. Leaves with high nutrient contents, which decompose fast (Leucaena, Gliricidia, Sesbania) are likely to have been more effective in sustaining crop yields than leaves with lower nutrient contents (Senna) or more complex decomposition patterns (Calliandra). Simple “leaf input-crop output” budgets to calculate the reserves for N, P and K in different systems explained crop yield differences in some cases. Compared to the fertility status of “zero-mulch” control plots, the status of soil C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S was to varying degrees improved under Leucaena, Gliricidia and Sesbania, much less under Calliandra but not under Senna. First season grain yields were related to the soil fertility status at the end of the tree fallow. The results of these experiments suggest that under subhumid tropical conditions with soils of relatively poor nutrient status, where light and water are not likely to be the major limiting factors to crop production, the application of sufficient quantities of high quality tree mulch may positively influence maize yields. When agroforestry tree species with contrasting decomposition and nutrient release patterns are evaluated jointly, it is more difficult to demonstrate a general relationship between quantities of mulch applied and improvements in crop yields and soil fertility levels. Therefore, further chemical, physiological and phenotypic characterization of free species with potential for fallow and intercropping systems is required.     

Woody legumes as live support systems in yam cultivation

This paper reports on the use of three leguminous perennials (Leucaena leucocephala, Flemingia macrophylla and Gliricidia sepium) as live support systems in yam cultivation. In a planting arrangement in which yam rows alternated with rows of the woody species the tuber yields per ha were 3.4 (leucaena), 5.3 (flemingia) and 10.1 (gliricidia) ton fresh weight. TUKEY's L.S.D. value equalled 2.9 ton. Leucaena leucocephala is unsuitable as live support since the species shows a strong competitive power expressed in terms of leaf productivity and relative density of the root mass in the upper soil stratum, the zone explored by the yam crop. Flemingia macrophylla is unsuitable as support species mainly because of its structural weakness: Its branches do not sufficiently lignify to carry the yam leaf mass. The significantly higher tuber yield of the yam crop grown with Gliricidia sepium is a function of specific properties of the tree species: Low leaf productivity, a relatively weakly developed root system and an open architecture, which leaves sufficient space for a yam crop grown in association.     

Nutrient composition of the leaf biomass of three selected woody leguminous species

In order to assess the value of leaf biomass the foliar nutrient content of Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla was studied under field conditions. In total 5 series of leaf samples were collected and analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium content over a period of 42 months of growth observation. Results are compared with mean values derived from a literature study. Factors contributing to the variation observed are discussed and suggestions towards variation control are made.     

Effect of tree pruning and pruning application to trees on nitrogen fixation by Leucaena and Gliricidia

A microplot study was conducted with Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium to determine the effect of pruning the trees and applying the prunings to the soil (as either surface mulch or soil-incorporated green manure) on N₂ fixation by the trees. N₂ fixation was estimated by the ¹⁵N dilution method, and the non-N₂-fixing species Senna siamea was used as a reference species. Number and dry weight of nodules were reduced with applications of prunings in Leucaena, and increased in Gliricidia. For both species, the lowest rate of N₂ fixation (47%) occurred under green manure incorporation after pruning, and the highest (66%) with mulching and no-pruning. Incorporation of green manure into soil significantly depressed N₂ fixation by 19.1% in Gliricidia and 20.6% in Leucaena compared to no-pruning treatment. The deleterious effect of incorporation of prunings into soil also affected the amount of N₂ fixed. During the nine months following pruning, green manure incorporation steadily decreased the percentage of N₂ fixed, whereas with no-pruning, pruning only and pruning with mulching, N₂ fixation increased with time. Reduction of N₂ fixation in pruned plants could imply that they would compete for N with interplanted food crops, causing lower N use efficiency by the latter. Despite lower dry-matter and N yields of Leucaena as compared with Gliricidia, its biological N₂ fixation amounted to 73% of its N requirement as opposed to the corresponding figures of 50% for Gliricidia. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

元谋抗旱耐热造林树种的定量选择研究

针对元谋干热河谷区特殊的自然条件,为荒山造林所需,开展抗旱耐热造林树种的定量选择研究。以银合欢、念珠相思、黄豆树、加勒比松、山合欢为参试树种,造林５年后,进行高、径及冠幅生长分析。依据测定数据,制定出本区抗旱耐热造林树种的选择标准。其数量选择标准为２７４８０。用此标准对参试树种进行反馈选择,评选出银合欢、黄豆树、加勒比松为元谋干热河谷区的造林树种。文章除论述元谋干热河谷区的自然条件、参试树种的高、径生长状况和分析结果外,还详细介绍了抗旱耐热造林树种的选择方法。     

Wheat growth as influenced by application of agroforestry-tree prunings in Ethiopian highlands

The response of wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Enkoy) to application of leaf prunings of nine agroforestry-tree species was investigated in a field trial and a six-week pot trial. The tree species were Grevillea robusta, Erythrina abyssinica, Gliricidia sepium, Albizia schimperiana, Acacia nilotica, Acacia polyacantha, Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena pallida and Entada abyssinica. L. leucocephala, L. pallida, G. sepium and Entada abyssinica proved to be good pruning sources in the pot trial. G. robusta, A. polyacantha, A. nilotica and E. abyssinica had adverse effects on wheat seedlings with increased pruning loads probably due to immobilization processes or allelopathic effects. N and lignin content, C/N ratio, lignin/N ratio, phenolics/N ratio and (phenolics + lignin)/N ratio of the pruning material were all significantly correlated with shoot dry matter production of the wheat seedlings. With the exception of Entada abyssinica, which performed well under field conditions, a similar ranking as in the pot trial was established in the field experiment, but at harvest differences were not as pronounced as in the pot trial. Gliricidia treated wheat produced by far the highest grain yield with 248 g/m².This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Soil physical conditions and root growth in coconut plantations interplanted with nitrogen fixing trees in Sri Lanka

The study was carried out to investigate the possibility of improving degraded soil conditions of Andigama series by intercropping coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) with Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia auriculiformis and Gliricidia sepium. Bulk density was significantly low in NFT interplanted plots followed by improved aeration in AB and B horizons of the soil profile. Total and readily available water fraction was higher in AB and B horizons of calliandra, acacia and gliricidia interplanted plots over control plots due to the increase of organic matter content and root growth. Root growth and proliferation of calliandra in A horizon were predominantly higher than that of leucaena, acacia and gliricidia species. In contrast, gliricidia roots penetrated into B horizon more densely than roots of other species. Better root growth of coconut in A horizon was observed in acacia and calliandra plots than other plots. The total coconut root biomass in AB and B horizons was higher in gliricidia and acacia plots than other species, which accounted for 91% and 0.3% in AB horizon and 21% and 23% in B horizon for gliricidia and acacia, respectively compared to the control. Total root biomass of coconut in calliandra plots was reduced by 5%, and 45% in AB and B horizons respectively. Results indicated that soil physical conditions of Andigama series (gravelly soil) could be significantly improved by interplanting acacia and gliricidia, as indicated by enhanced coconut root growth and proliferation. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The performance of selected leaf mulches in temperature reduction and moisture conservation in the upper soil stratum

This paper reports on the effect of the leaf mulches of Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla on moisture content and temperature in the first 5 cm of the soil. The mulches were applied at a standard quantity of 5,000 kg ha^–1 DM.In order to characterise a mulch material two parameters are distinguished; the initial impact (I _i ) and the effective lifetime (T _e ) of a mulch material. I is expressed in terms of percentage surplus moisture or degrees Celsius average temperature reduction. T quantifies the duration of the effect. Of the three mulch materials that of Flemingia macrophylla performs best in terms of moisture retention and lowering soil temperatures as well as in terms of longevity of the effect. Leucaena leucocephala mulch shows the smallest impact, over the shortest period.     

Clustering shrub and tree legumes grown in acid and non-acid soil conditions using rank performance data

Clustering of ten woody and shrub legumes (Acacia auriculiformis, Albizia lebbeck, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena diversifolia, L. leucocephala var. K28 and var. K636, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea and Tephrosia candida) was performed using the partitioning around medoid and the Fuzzy clustering methods to assess the appropriateness of their earlier performance rank scores for evaluating their dissimilarity within an Alfisol and an Ultisol. Differences among formed clusters were observed for the acid and non-acid soil conditions. Some species such as Albizia lebbeck and Leucaena leucocephala var. K636 isolated each in a single-species cluster, while others, depending on the soil type belonged to different closest hard clusters most likely in relation to their closeness in architecture and growth habit as well as to their genetic affinity which appear to be strong determinants of their performance similarity. Clustering analysis of species performance compared reliably well with the simple ranking in the Alfisol than it did in the Ultisol. In both soils, however, clustering analysis overcame the rigidity of the simple ranking procedure and thus led to more realistic ranking classes of species performance to the extent that, where possible, it should be recommended for discriminating species more efficiently.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.