Invasiveness and Biomass Production of Leucaena (original) (raw)
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Frontiers in Agronomy
Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (commonly known as leucaena) is a leguminous species of the family Fabaceae and a native of Mexico and Central America. It is often addressed as a “miracle tree” for offering a wide variety of ecosystem services and possessing strong ecological attributes. The multiple uses of leucaena in agroforestry, livestock, and restoration practices led to the worldwide distribution of its ssp. glabrata and leucocephala. However, following its introduction into non-native regions, the commercial value of ssp. leucocephala was challenged by its large-scale spread outside the cultivation zone. It has assumed a status of an environmental weed and invasive plant in many regions across Africa (17 countries and Island nations), Asia (17), Europe (1), Oceania (23), North America (12), and South America (7). The plant is enlisted in the top five terrestrial invasive plant species with the greatest international presence. The species is now considered one of the 100 ...
Performance of Leucaena leucocephala, Seedlings in Two Agro-climatic Regions of Kenya
Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 2016
A study was conducted to determine the response of Leucaena seedlings planted in two variant agro-climatic regions, Chepkoilel Campus and Maseno in Kenya. The experiment was a 2-factor (provenance-site) split plot design with five replications. Three provenances were randomly assigned to the sub-plots. A block measuring 60 m by 30 m was divided into two plots, which were separated by a 1 m strip of land. The study was conducted at Chepkoilel College Campus and Maseno farms in Kenya. Farm experiments were conducted. Soil samples were amended with lime at the rate of 6.6 ton/ha. Three genotypes of Leucaena were planted. At 60 DAP and 120 DAP, seedlings were subjected to analysis to determine seedling height, root length, root collar diameter, leaf number and seedling biomass at both sites. There was variation in the performance of each provenance based on the growth parameters assessed between the two sites. KIT2724 recorded the highest means in all growth attributes followed by K136, and the lowest means was recorded by K156 at Maseno. However, in Chepkoilel, K136 recorded the best performance in the growth Original Research Article
Weed Research, 2014
Plant species invasiveness is frequently associated with rapid proliferation and production of seeds that can persist in the soil for long periods of time. Leucaena leucocephala (Fabaceae) is an alien and invasive species, for example in Brazilian forest and savannah ecosystems. This study quantified the invasive potential of this species by analysing its seed rain (using seed collectors), seed longevity in the soil (stored in buried bags) and the germination capacity of the soil seedbank (by collecting soil samples in the study area). Our results showed that seed rain occurred throughout the year, although more intensely from July to September, with about 5500 seeds m À2 year À1 being released. The numbers of seeds in the buried bags diminished over time and intact seeds showed low ger-minability (approximately 15%), although their viability remained >80% of the recovered seeds after two years of in situ storage. The germinability of seeds collected directly from the soil was approximately 40%, indicating that more than half of the seeds of soil seedbank were dormant (physical dormancy). Leucaena leucocephala produces large numbers of seeds and is able to form a persistent short-lived seedbank (viability 1-5 years). These factors may contribute significantly to its invasive potential, which makes it difficult to control this species once it becomes established. As control costs become higher over time, immediate public efforts are needed to counter this threat.
— Lack of year round supply of forage for animal feed is common in most parts of dry lands. leucaenaleucocephala is one of most widely used dry season tree legume forage. In this study, the effect of planting density on forage and woody stems production was investigated. Three different planting spacing corresponding to (40X40 cm, 60X60 cm and 80X80 cm) were applied to tests its effects on tree growth and yield. Tree height and diameter were measured before every cutting harvest. In addition to that fresh and dry matter production of both stems and forage (tons/ha), stems, and leaves dry weight ratios over time were determined. The study revealed that different planting densities were resulted in very high significant effects on forage and stem production. Tree height was affected by planning density in most of the harvests, while diameter showed significant difference among the treatments in only one harvest. Planting trees at 40 cm distance produced higher forage yield with smaller woody stems sizes, whereas 60 and 80 cm spacing resulted in lesser forage yield, but with bigger stems size. This indicates that planting trees at closer spacing produce higher wood and forage yield, but the wood with smaller sizes. There is also, observed seasonal variation in production in which hot weather lowered yield. The stems and leaves dry matter ratio revealed that leaves production is slightly higher than stem production and were not affected by planting density. The results conclude that planting leucaena in closer spacing in arid lands will supply a considerable amount of forage as supplementary feed in addition to wood that can be used for different purposes.
The Southern African Forestry Journal, 2006
Growth performance and psyllid resistance was studied among nineteen lesser-known Leucaena species/ provenances at Gairo inland plateau, Morogoro, Tanzania. Assessment was done at irregular intervals for survival, root collar diameter and diameter at 30 cm above the ground, height, diameter at breast height, multiple stems production, biomass and psyllid resistance. Final assessment of these tree attributes was done at 37 months after planting, while psyllid resistance was assessed at 9 and 37 months after planting. During the final assessment occasion, height ranged from 2.69 m for L. collinsii Ex. Chiapas to 4.87 m for L. diversifolia Ex. Veracruz. Diameter at breast height (Dbh) ranged from 2.26 cm for L. shannonnii Ex. Chiapas to 4.93 cm for L. diversifolia Ex.Veracruz, while multiple stems production ranged from 2709 stems ha -1 for L. pulverulenta Ex. Tamaulipas to 7135 stems ha -1 for L. leucocephala Ex. Morogoro and untransformed survival ranged from 43.75% for L. pulverulenta Ex. Tamaulipas to 100% for L. diversifolia Ex. Veracruz. Total wood biomass production ranged from 3.74 t/ha for L. shannonnii Ex. Chiapas to 15.61 t/ha for L. diversifolia Ex. Veracruz. The study has shown that species/ provenances differ significantly in survival, diameter, height growth, psyllid resistance, multiple stem production and biomass production. Based on these findings, provenances L. diversifolia Batch (15551), L. diversifolia Ex. Mexico, L. diversifolia Ex. Veracruz and L. pallida Ex. Oaxaca are recommended for Gairo and similar sites.
The infl uence of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) on tree regeneration was studied in a natural forest in the Khao Phuluang Ecotourism Development Project, northeastern Thailand. In total, three belt transects of 10 × 150 m were established perpendicular to the edge of the remnant forest (RF) and Leucaena plantation (LP) to study the changes in vegetation structure and species composition along a gradient from the RF into the adjacent LP. The vegetation transect census recorded the living numbers of seedlings, saplings and trees, excluding lianas, and the stem diameter and height were measured for saplings and trees. Light and soil conditions were also investigated.
Forest Ecology and Management, 1986
Maghembe, J.A., Kaoneka, A.R.S. and Lulandala, L.L.L., 1986. Intercropping, weeding and spacing effects on growth and nutrient content in Leucaena leucocephala at Morogoro, Tanzania. For. Ecol. Manage., The study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of Leucaena leucocephala for fuelwood and pole production using agroforestry in a semiarid environment. The trial site, planted in February 1980 at Mafiga, Morogoro, was a split plot design with four main plots: (1) Leucaena intercropped with maize; (2) Leucaena intercropped with beans; (3) Leucaena monoculture and clean weeded; and (4) Leucaena monoculture and spot weeded. Each main plot included three tree-spacing subplots, 3 X 3 m, 4 X 4 m and 5 × 5 m, and replicated four times. Each of the subplots comprised at least 25 trees.
Agroforestry extension in Rwanda has economic, environmental benefits and its role in improving soil fertility among other numerous benefits. This research undertook a comparative germination and initial growth study of the three agroforestry species namely Senna spectabilis, Leucaenna trichandra, and Calliandra calothyrsus at Ruhande Alboretum when seeds are sown directly in pots and indirectly in seedbed. The germination period spanned from one to three weeks for three species. Senna spectabilis germinate at 8.0% in seedbed sowing method and 3.7% in pots. Germination rate of 49.7% was recorded for Leucaena trichandra in seedbed while 66.7% was recorded in pots. For Calliandra calothyrus a germination rate of 45.3% was recorded in seedbed while 50.3% was recorded in pots. For Senna spectabilis direct sowing in pots produced seedlings which are taller (16.1cn) and bigger (2.72 cm) than their counterparts in seedbed. Seedlings in pots showed a big variability (6.5) in height among themselves and a big deviation from the true mean (16.1± 5.408) compared to seedlings in seedbed both in mean height and coral diameter. For Leucaena trichandra direct sowing in pots produced seedlings which are taller (26.25) and bigger (3.28 cm) than their counterparts in seedbed. Seedlings in pots showed a low variability (4.857) in height among themselves and a low deviation from the true mean (26.25±1.34) compared to seedlings in seedbed which showed a bit high variability (4.929) and a big shift from the true mean (25.43±1.36) both in terms of mean height and coral diameter. The difference both in mean height and coral diameter was not significant at 5% level of probability for both Senna spectabilis and Leucaena trichandra. For Calliandra calothyrus direct sowing in pots produced seedlings which are taller (26.55cm) and bigger (3.02cm) than their counterparts in seedbed. Seedlings in pots showed a big variability (3.6) among themselves and a big deviation from the true mean (26.55±0.999) compared to seedlings in seedbed .Although there is no significance between means in terms of height, the difference in mean coral diameter is significant at 5% level of probability. Since direct seeding produce taller seedlings than seedbed method, it should be preferred when one has little time to prepare for plantation and not high quantity of seedlings is needed.
Farmer Based Seed Production of Leucaena leucocephala in Eastern Indonesia
2019
Part of the Plant Sciences Commons, and the Soil Science Commons This document is available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/22/1-5/20 The 22nd International Grassland Congress (Revitalising Grasslands to Sustain Our Communities) took place in Sydney, Australia from September 15 through September 19, 2013. Proceedings Editors: David L. Michalk, Geoffrey D. Millar, Warwick B. Badgery, and Kim M. Broadfoot Publisher: New South Wales Department of Primary Industry, Kite St., Orange New South Wales, Australia