Insect pests of some exotic and indigenous browse species in southeastern Nigeria

During the period February to July 1992 the incidence of attacks by insect pests on ten cultivated browse species was studied at Obio Akpa, located in humid southeastern Nigeria. Two of the browse speciesGliricidia sepium andLeucaena leucocephala were exotic and eightAlchornia cordifolia, Baphia nitida, Rauvolfia vomitoria, Diallum guineensis, Ficus capensis, Glyphaea brevis, Homalium aylmeri andManniophytum fulvum indigenous. Forty insect pests were collected and 33 identified. Those identified belonged to either the order Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Lepidoptera or Orthoptera. Some of the insects were browse-specific, while others attacked several browse species. None of the browse species was free from insect attacks.     

Studies withGliricidia sepium for crop/livestock production systems in West Africa

This paper reports for progress of research onGliricidia sepium conducted by the Humid Zone Programme (HZP) of the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) at Ibadan in Southwest Nigeria in the period 1982–1986. It examines the biological characteristics of the species, with respect to growth, flowering and seed production, and analyses its potential for improving crop production (through soil fertility maintenance) and livestock production (through production of improved fodder). Integration ofGliricidia into cropping systems is necessary for optimum realisation of its crop improvement quality. The alley farming system is presented in the paper as one means of achieving sustainability in crop production through integration of trees, such asGliricidia, into cropping systems. The use ofGliricidia in Intensive Feed Gardens, for production of leguminous fodder is also described as an alternative production system. The paper finally reports on experiences with local farmers in on-farm research and development for the integration ofGliricidia andLeucaena into local farming systems. It ends with a suggestion for more research, targetted specifically at improvement of the species and its utilisation.     

Studies withGliricidia sepium for crop/livestock production systems in West Africa

This paper reports for progress of research onGliricidia sepium conducted by the Humid Zone Programme (HZP) of the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) at Ibadan in Southwest Nigeria in the period 1982–1986. It examines the biological characteristics of the species, with respect to growth, flowering and seed production, and analyses its potential for improving crop production (through soil fertility maintenance) and livestock production (through production of improved fodder). Integration ofGliricidia into cropping systems is necessary for optimum realisation of its crop improvement quality. The alley farming system is presented in the paper as one means of achieving sustainability in crop production through integration of trees, such asGliricidia, into cropping systems. The use ofGliricidia in Intensive Feed Gardens, for production of leguminous fodder is also described as an alternative production system. The paper finally reports on experiences with local farmers in on-farm research and development for the integration ofGliricidia andLeucaena into local farming systems. It ends with a suggestion for more research, targetted specifically at improvement of the species and its utilisation.