COMPARISON OF EARLY ROOT AND SHOOT GROWTH AND NODULATION OFENTEROLOBIUM, LEUCAENAANDGLIRICIDIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Enterolobium (Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb) is a leguminous tree that has potential for use as a shade tree, in woodlots, for soil conservation and for fodder, and has wide ecological adaptation. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the potential of Enterolobium as a fast-grower during its first three months of growth relative to Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala Lam. de Wit) and Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium Walp.), the most commonly grown tree legumes in the lowland humid tropics of West Africa. The root and shoot growth of Enterolobium was generally similar (or better, before 6–8 weeks of growth) to that of Gliricidia, but was significantly more than that of Leucaena. Enterolobium nodulated freely without Rhizobium inoculation to the same extent as Gliricidia up to 10 weeks after planting; thereafter Gliricidia produced more nodules. Enterolobium produced more nodules than Leucaena throughout the period of sampling. There were, on average, 50 nodules/plant in Leucaena, 115 in Enterolobium and 223 in Gliricidia at 12 weeks after planting. Thus, compared with Leucaena and Gliricidia, Enterolobium is a fast-growing leguminous tree that nodulates early and freely with native rhizobia. The productivity of Enterolobium under regular cutting management and the value of the foliage as mulch/green manure and fodder need to be determined.