The effect of cutting height and frequency on the forage,wood and seed production of sixSesbania sesban accessions

The forage, wood and seed production of sixSesbania sesban accessions was assessed under irrigated conditions for two cutting frequencies and heights. Control trees were left uncut to measure their seed production potential. The trial was conducted over an 18-month period. The fastest growing accession produced almost 10 t/ha total dry matter (DM) after six months of growth, 40% of it being leaves. Total DM yield was higher at the six-month cutting interval compared to the three months' interval with yields between 25–42 t/ha/year. Some accessions could not sustain their high level of production but showed drastic drops in yield after repeated cutting. In general leaf DM production increased with increased cutting height. When cut at 150 cm the DM leaf yield at the three-month cutting interval ranged form 9.7–18.2 t/ha. More plants survived at the three-month cutting frequency. Seed yields varied considerably between accessions (0.02–1.56 t/ha at the six months' interval). After 18 months of undisturbed growth the trees yielded 36.5–83.7 t/ha total DM comprising 21% leaves. Fresh wood biomass ranged between 56.4–138.0 t/ha and seed yields 2.7–6.6 t/ha.     

Interactions among cutting frequency, reserve carbohydrates, and post-cutting biomass production in Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala

The ability of trees and shrubs to coppice vigorously after being cut or pruned is of great importance in the management of agroforestry systems. In a study conducted in the seasonally dry climate of Ibadan, Nigeria, frequent cutting progressively decreased concentrations of starch and total reserve carbohydrates in Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit. In frequently cut trees, starch was severely reduced in the stumps of both species. In contrast, soluble sugar concentrations in roots and stems of both species were consistently maintained at or above the levels in uncut control trees, suggesting that sugar levels were maintained through the hydrolysis of starch reserves. No starch replenishment occurred during the six weeks after cutting. In trees that were cut and then allowed to grow undisturbed during the wet season, replenishment of stem starch began within three months after cutting. Shoot regrowth after cutting decreased starch levels first in stems and, only after additional cuts, in roots. Dry-season cuts had little effect on reserve carbohydrates in G. sepium but quickly reduced stem starch in L. leucocephala. Frequent cutting decreased dry matter production, and this decrease was correlated with reduced levels of reserve carbohydrates.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Voluntary intake by sheep and goats ofGliricidia sepium fed in three states and at three levels of supplementation to a basal diet ofPanicum maximum

Crude protein content andin sacco dry matter (DM) loss after 72 h of incubation in West African dwarf (WAD) sheep and goats of fresh, wilted and dried leaves ofGliricidia sepium were compared. Additionally, voluntary DM intakes by WAD sheep and goats ofG. sepium leaves presented in the fresh, wilted and dried states at 10, 20 and 30% levels of supplementation were investigated in two separate experiments. The crude protein content and DM loss from dried leaves were relatively lower than fresh and wilted leaves. At all levels of supplementation, the voluntary DM intakes of fresh and wilted leaves by WAD sheep and goats were relatively higher than dried leaves. The results suggest thatG. sepium leaves should be fed either in the fresh or wilted states to WAD sheep and goats, at levels between 20 and 30% of the total daily DM allowance.     

Agronomic evaluation of eleven Leucaena lines at Tumbi, Tabora, western Tanzania

Two trials were carried out over five growing seasons in western Tanzania to investigate (a) forage production and quality of eight lines of Leucaena leucocephala, one of L. diversifolia and one of L. esculenta and (b) the effect of cutting height (25, 50 and 75 cm) on forage production of nine lines of L. leucocephala and one of L. diversifolia. The locally naturalized lines, T1 and K1, were consistently better in yield, out-producing the commercial L. leucocephala cultivars Cunningham, Peru and K8 in three or four out of the five seasons' harvests. Mean daily dry matter yields for all lines decreased as the dry season progressed. Mean yields were 54.9, 28.6 and 12.8 kg/ha/day in the rainy season, late rainy season/early dry season and late dry season, respectively. The concentrations of N (2.3 to 3.1%), P (0.13 to 0.17%), K (0.7 to 1.3%), Ca (0.6 to 1.6%) and Mg (o.4 to 0.6%) in the edible forage declined as the dry season became pronounced but were at levels sufficient for animal production except for P levels, which were low. Three distinct yield groups emerged from responses to cutting height: cv. Cunningham produced the greatest yields of edible forage at 25 cm cutting height; cv. Peru, cv. K8, Korog, T1, CpI 90790 and CPI 58394 at 50 cm; and CPI 58398, CPI 84511 and CPI 85132 at 75 cm.     

Effect of cutting height and cutting interval on dry matter yield of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) De Wit

The effect of cutting height and cutting interval on dry matter production of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) De Wit was investigated at Njala, Sierra Leone using three year old Leucaena trees. Four cutting heights, (25, 50, 75 and 100 cm), and two cutting intervals (one and three months), were adopted.Dry matter yields were highest at the 75 and 100 cm cutting heights, especially at the longer, three-monthly, cutting interval. They were significantly reduced by more frequent cutting, probably due to the increased number of recovery phases.Leaf nitrogen yields per tree for trees cut at three-monthly intervals were over twice as high as the total yields obtained from monthly cutting over the same period.     

Soil water regime under rotational fallow and alternating hedgerows on an Ultisol in southern Cameroon

Soil moisture depletion during dry seasons by planted hedgerows to lower levels than under natural fallow, would reduce drainage and nutrient losses in the following rainy season when food crops are grown. The volumetric water content of the 0–150 cm soil profile was measured under planted hedgerows (alternating Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium) and natural fallow, both either annually cropped to sole maize or in a two-year crop/two-year fallow rotation, in the humid forest zone (annual rainfall 1700 mm) of southern Cameroon during the 1995–1996 and 1996–1997 dry seasons. Hedgerows were cut to 0.05 m height, largely eliminating trees’ water consumption during cropping phases. Differences in total soil water content at 0–150 cm depth, between systems, occurred only in the early phases of the 1996–1997 dry season. In both dry seasons, differences between systems in water content were found in some soil layers, all within 0–60 cm depth, yet, without consistent advantage of any system in exploiting the topsoil water resources. Soil water content was lower under L. leucocephala than G. sepium at 20–40 cm depth only. Below 60 cm depth, no differences in water regimes between systems were found. Under southern Cameroonian conditions it is unlikely that any of the systems has an advantage in accessing or recovering water and thus, if available, nutrients from the sub-soil. None of the systems examined was capable of delaying drainage and thus it appears unlikely that downward displacement of nutrients is delayed after the start of the rains.     

Growth and herbage productivity of Gliricidia in Panicum maximum pasture as influenced by seedbed preparation,planting and weed control techniques

Interplanting Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium [Jacq.] Walp.) into poor quality native grass can improve the quality of pasture. But information on methods to establish the tree legume into existing pasture is scarce. This study was designed to compare the effects of disc-ploughing, hoeing, or rotary tillage operations, and direct seeding or planting out potted seedlings on growth and dry matter yields of Gliricidia in grass pasture. The Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) pasture was first mowed to a height of 10 cm. Then the seedbed was prepared by either hoeing 0.5 m strip or rototilling 0.5 m strip with a 2-wheel tractor or disc-ploughing 1.0 m strip with a 4-wheel tractor. Eight weeks old potted seedlings were planted or seeds were sown direct. At 6 months after planting (MAP), trees in disc-ploughed strips averaged 81 cm in height, about 35% taller than trees in hoed- or rotary-tilled strips. Potted seedlings (average height 77 cm) grew 37% taller than direct-seeded trees. At 12 MAP trees in disc-ploughed strips yielded 95% more leaf DM (1170 vs. 600 kg/ha) than trees in hoed- or rotary-tilled strips. In order to intercrop Gliricidia into existing Guinea grass pasture, it is necessary to plant potted seedlings previously raised in nursery into 1.0 m wide strips disc-ploughed with 4-wheel tractor. Weed control is necessary.     

Increasing Gliricidia sepium and Cassia spectabilis biomass production

This paper examines the impact of spacing on biomass production of monocropped and mixed hedgerows of seedlings and cutting of Gliricidia sepium and Cassia spectabilis. The impact of lime on G. sepium biomass production was also evaluated. Seedlings survived better than cuttings; and no differences were observed between seedlings in either pattern at the highest density tested. Although spacing reduced inter-and intra-specific competition, total biomass production was greatest at higher densities. Mixing hedgerow species reduced intraspecific competition within C. spectabilis, resulting in increased biomass production. Six, 8 and 12 tons of lime per hectare significantly increased fresh G. sepium biomass production at all harvest dates except the first. Extrapolated to an alley cropping system, applying 6 t/ha of lime increased fresh cumulative G. sepium biomass production by almost 39 t/ha over the no lime treatment representing more than 200 kg N/ha.     

元宝枫叶数量变化对生长的影响

摘除整株叶片的1 3、2 3、3 3叶量对元宝枫生长影响的研究表明:不同采叶量和采摘时间显著影响着元宝枫的株高、地径、叶面积和叶生物量干质量,而对冠幅影响不显著。随着采叶量的增加,对元宝枫的影响显著加强;采叶时间的影响依次是6月>4月>8月。4月采叶3 3显著抑制株高、地径、叶面积和叶生物量干质量增长;6月采摘对株高和地径的生长影响显著,但对叶面积和叶生物量干质量的影响不大。     

Browse yield and nutritive value of two Salix species and Dorycnium rectum in New Zealand

The willows Salix matsudana x alba and S. kinuyanagi, and the leguminous shrub Dorycnium rectum, are used for soil conservation in New Zealand and have potential value as browse plants. Two experiments were conducted in the lower North Island to ascertain the effect of selected establishment and cutting practices on their browse yield and nutritive value. A hill site experiment determined the effect of rooted and unrooted stem cuttings on establishment and initial production of the Salix species. A flat site experiment determined the effect of cutting height (0.10–0.30 m, 0.80 m, and 1.20 m above ground) and cutting frequency (once or twice per year) on yield of the Salix species and D. rectum. The establishment and dry matter (DM) yields of the Salix species were unaffected by the type of stem cutting. S. matsudana x alba (1.2 kg DM/tree) plants yielded more edible DM than S. kinuyanagi (0.9 kg DM/tree) and D. rectum (0.4 kg DM/tree). Cutting height had no effect on edible DM yield but affected total DM yield of the Salix species. Nitrogen concentration in edible DM, of all species, was 18–22 g/kg DM. In vitro organic matter digestibility of S. matsudana x alba (648–691 g/kg DM) and D. rectum (664–666 g/kg DM) was greater than S. kinuyanagi (611–615 g/kg DM). The condensed tannin concentration in edible DM of S. kinuyanagi was four-fold higher than in S. matsudana x alba (255 vs. 59 g/kg DM). It was concluded that S. matsudana x alba had the greatest potential as a browse species and D. rectum the least.This revised version was published online in November 2005 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.     

Influence of root pruning and cutting interval ofLeucaena hedgerows on performance of alley croppedrabi sorghum

The influence of root pruning and cutting interval ofLeucaena hedgerows on alley croppedrabi sorghum was investigated. Paired (60 cm)Leucaena hedgerows spaced 6.6 m wide were subject to either root pruning, using a country plough during mid-kharif season, or no root pruning. The cutting frequency ofLeucaena hedgerows ranged from one month to six months during therabi cropping period. The effect on soil moisture, crop growth, yield and yield components ofrabi sorghum was examined.Root pruning ofLeucaena hedgerows increased grain and stover yields of the alley croppedrabi sorghum by 33 and 17%, respectively, over root not pruned hedgerows. Similarly, shorter cutting intervals (one and two months) increased crop yields as compared with longer cutting intervals (three and six months). The growth (height and dry matter) of the crop was similarly influenced. Soil moisture studies indicated that the competition between crop and hedgerows was considerably reduced by the root pruning. The results clearly showed that the competition between hedgerows and arable crop can be reduced considerably by root pruning and frequent cutting (at one to two months interval) of the hedgerows.     

Effect of soil fertility on early growth of Leucaena and Gliricidia in alley farms

Young leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit) and gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) Steud) alley-cropped with food crops on farmers' fields in southwestern Nigeria showed marked variability in growth and foliage coloration. A field study was undertaken to determine whether variability in soil fertility was responsible for the differential growth of the two tree species. Plant height of leucaena and gliricidia at 6 and 9 months after planting (MAP) were significantly correlated with soil organic C and total N. Dry matter yield at 12 MAP was also significantly correlated with plant height, soil organic C and total N for leucaena but not for gliricidia. Soil and plant N concentrations were significantly higher in farms with normal than those with chlorotic plants.     

Effects of soil temperature and time of decapitation on sucker initiation of intact Populus tremuloides root systems

Abstract

In a growth chamber experiment, root suckering of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) was assessed in relation to timing of cutting and soil temperature. Aspen seedlings were grown in large pots for 3 years before experimentation. In a 2×2 factorial experiment, 3-year-old seedlings were cut at the end of the dormant period or after leaf flush and grown at two soil temperatures (8 or 20°C) for 39 days. Root systems were evaluated for suckering response and carbohydrate reserve status. There were no differences between the two soil temperatures and times of cut in the number of sucker buds initiated on the roots, but the number of buds that developed into suckers was much greater at 20°C. Cutting the dormant seedlings delayed suckering by nearly a week, resulting in smaller suckers at the time of harvest. However, cutting the seedlings when dormant produced almost twice the number of suckers than when cutting occurred after leaf-out. Total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) of roots declined from 35.6% of dry weight at the end of the dormant season to 21.6% at the time of leaf-out, but there were no differences between the soil temperature and timing of cut treatments. After the 39 day growth period, root systems had 7% lower root TNC in the 20°C treatment than in the 8°C treatment, likely to support the development of the emerging suckers and higher respiration demands.     

The productivity of Tipuana tipu under three cutting regimes in southeast Queensland

The tree legume Tipuana tipu, which has potential as a browse species in sub-tropical regions, was subjected to three cutting frequency regimes of 6, 8 and 12 week intervals at a cutting height of 1 m. Cutting at 12 week intervals gave a total leaf yield of 4.02 t/ha/year which was significantly higher than the other two treatments. There was 100% survival of all plants in all treatments over 2 years and the implications of the results for the management of Tipuana tipu in a hedgerow system for folder production are discussed.     

Cutting management ofCalliandra calothyrsus in the wet season to maximize dry season fodder production in the central highlands of Burundi

Calliandra calothyrsus was cut back at monthly intervals during the rainy season between January and May to determine which period of cutting gives the highest quantity and quality of dry matter in August, the peak of the dry season, when a lack of fodder is most acute. In both 1992 and 1993, the highest quantity of dry season production was obtained from the plots that were harvested in February, six months before the driest month. Crude protein content of the dry season fodder was not significantly influenced by the time of harvest in the rainy season. How the fodder produced in the dry season is to be used to satisfy the digestible protein needs of 3.5 goats for a 90-day period in the highlands of Burundi and how the leafy biomass harvested in the rainy season is to be used to support crop production are discussed.Deceased     

Date of pruning of Guazuma ulmifolia during the rainy season affects the availability, productivity and nutritional quality of forage during the dry season

Guazuma ulmifolia was experimentally pruned to determine when pruning should begin during the rainy season in order to extend the production of green tree-forage during the dry season. Three prunings (P-1, P-2, and P-3) were performed (5 weeks apart) during the rainy season (August, September, and October) and four forage harvests (C-a, C-b, C-c, and C-d) (3 weeks apart) took place during the dry season (February, March, and April). Over 2 years, forage biomass production was evaluated as total biomass (g dry matter tree^?1), biomass of the morphological components (leaves, stems, and dead matter), and nutritional quality (crude protein, fiber, lignin, and digestibility). Date of pruning affected the production of total biomass (P = 0.001) with the earliest pruning (P-1) yielding the greatest forage quantity, while stems (P = 0.022) and dead matter (P = 0.032) varied due to a year by pruning interaction. Total biomass, leaves, stems, and dead matter varied by the interaction between forage harvest and year for all four variables (P < 0.037). In both years, the largest forage harvest occurred in C-b (P < 0.05), leaf production was highest in C-a and C-b (P < 0.001), stem production was greatest in C-b (P = 0.013) and dead matter was highest in C-b and C-d (P = 0.002). Leaf crude protein ranged between 10 and 19 %, and the interaction of pruning by forage harvest by year was significant (P = 0.035). Digestibility, neutral and acid detergent fiber and lignin differed significantly because of the interaction between forage harvest and year (P < 0.005), with February showing the lowest values for fiber and the highest digestibility. The best time to prune G. ulmifolia is in August so that the young trees will produce more total biomass with a higher crude protein content. The most suitable moment for forage harvest is in February when the trees have more leaves with greater digestibility and less fiber.     

Positioning precision and sampling number of DGPS under forest canopies

 Experimental results were studied to determine the relationships between positioning precision of a differential global positioning system (DGPS) and forest type, antenna height, and season, and to clarify the relationship between sampling number and the convergence of positioning precision. Observation was carried out for 24 h. Mean circular area probability (CEP₉₅) was 2.80 m for deciduous broadleaved trees, and 4.99 m for conifers. The mean CEP₉₅ taken at 7 m height (3.14 m) was higher than that at 1 m height (3.92 m) at all sites. The mean CEP₉₅ taken during the defoliation season (2.65 m) was slightly better than during the foliation season (2.96 m). There were significant differences between forest types (P < 0.001) and antenna heights (P < 0.05). Positioning precision was not noticeably improved if the sampling number was around ten or less. A sampling number of 100–1000 or more is required before substantial improvements can be expected. As long as high positioning precision is not required, it is acceptable to use 2D & 3D modes and relatively few samples to take measurements. Received: April 24, 2002 / Accepted: October 10, 2002 Correspondence to:I. Sawaguchi     

Nutritional evaluation of “Braquiarão” grass in association with “Aroeira” trees in a silvopastoral system

This study aimed at evaluating the influence of a silvopastoral system (SPS) composed of “Aroeira” trees (Myracrodruon urundeuva) on the nutritional value of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu forage grass over the rainy season. The experiment was conducted in the SPS located in the “Cerrado” biome in Lagoa Santa County, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in the agricultural year of 2004–2005. It was evaluated the influence of “Aroeira”, whose density in the area was 140 trees/ha, on the following parameters of the B. brizantha cv. Marandu forage grass: forage mass harvest above stubble height, morphogenic attributes, bromatological composition and nutritional value. The effects of “Aroeira” trees on the micro-climatic conditions were also evaluated. The experiment adopted a randomized block design with five blocks (cutting seasons), two treatments (a shaded pasture—B. brizantha cv. Marandu shaded by M. urundeuva—and a pasture in full sun—B. brizantha cv. Marandu in full sun), and three replicates. The tree component, composed of the tree species M. urundeuva in the experimental density adopted, increased dry matter and crude protein of the forage mass harvest above stubble height, without affecting the concentration of neutral detergent fibre or acid detergent fibre, thus causing dry matter and organic matter in vitro degradability as well as effective degradability of the forage grass to remain the same as those obtained in full sun. Therefore, the results of this study show the possibility of using trees and grass to increase both animal production and environmental services.