Gliricidia Sepium Provenances Research Articles

EVALUATION OF Gliricidia sepium PROVENANCES IN THE INTERMEDIATE ZONE OF SRI LANKA

Seven selected Gliricidia sepium provenances from the Oxford Forestry Institute were evaluated for growth, soil improvement, competition with Agricultural crops and woody biomass production, in two experiments, a pure plot and an alley cropping experiment, at Dodangolla Experiment Station, Kundasale in the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka.The height, basal diameter and number of branches of different provenances differed; but outstanding were local cutting, 17/84 and 14/84 at the first lopping, one year after planting. Height and diameter of local cutting were significantly better than the others due to stage of growth and availability of resource material. In the pure plot experiment the control Acacia showed its best performance in number of branches which was significantly different from G.sepium provenances. In the alley cropping experiment, local cutting and 14/84 showed better yields of agricultural crops compared to other provenances. The woody biomass production was very high in local cutting and 14/84, and significantly better than other provenances. All seven provenances contributed to improvement of soil Nitrogen (N) but only for Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), were significant differences observed among the provenances. In soil improvement, the outstanding were 14/86, 10/86, 14/84 and local cutting. These provenances could be recommended for planting for soil improvement.After evaluating for growth, soil improvement and woody biomass production, local cutting (the best performer), 17/84, and 14/84 could be recommended as more suitable for planting in the mid-country intermediate zone of Sri Lanka.

Genetic variation in the nutritive value of Gliricidia sepium. : 2. Leaf chemical composition and fermentability by an in vitro gas production technique

Five Gliricidia sepium provenances, comprising three central American native populations and two land races, were grown at five sites. Replicated leaf samples were evaluated by an in vitro gas production technique, estimation of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and coumarin content. Differences between provenances in fermentation characteristics generally achieved statistical significance ( p<0.05) at all five sites, but were small (13% range or less). Significant differences ( p<0.05) were found between samples of young and old leaves, leaves from sunny and shady plots and between air-dried and freeze-dried samples. Differences due to site were highly significant for all fermentation characteristics, and much greater than differences due to provenance. The compositional analyses showed highly significant genetic variation in CP and ADF, but not in NDF or coumarin levels. Again, the range of values was small (<10%), and was dwarfed by site-related effects. The reasons for the site related differences were not identified. The narrow range of provenance means for all the traits measured, compared with the considerable site-related variability, suggested that intraspecific variation in nutritive value of these five provenances of Gliricidia sepium was unlikely to be of great practical importance to livestock keepers.

GROWTH AND YIELD OFGLIRICIDIA SEPIUM(JACK.) WALP. PROVENANCES ON AN ACID SANDY CLAY LOAM SOIL IN SIERRA LEONE

SUMMARY Studies on Gliricidia sepium have shown that this tree legume has potential for agroforestry in Sierra Leone. This paper highlights results obtained from a field evaluation on growth, yield, and nodulation of several provenances of Gliricidia sepium. Ibadan local ILG52 and ILG 63, and Njala local Gliricidia (NLG ‘O’) consistently combined good growth and high yield. Possible fodder provenances include HYB (High Yielding Bulk), ILG 58 and ILG 59. ILG 52 and NLG ‘O’ have both firewood and fodder qualities. The proportion of plants that nodulated ranged from 17 to 83%. Nodulation of the local provenance by indigenous soil rhizobia was improved by phosphorus fertilizer application at 60 kg ha-1. This provenance, which is also widely adapted in Sierra Leone, responds to inoculation with peat-based Rhizobium inoculants.

Growth and fodder yield of the Gliricidia sepium provenances in guardrow system in dryland farming area in Bali, Indonesia

Growth and fodder yield of the Gliricidia sepium provenances in guardrow system in dryland farming area in Bali, Indonesia

Growth and fodder yield of the Gliricidia sepium provenances in fence system in dryland farming area in Bali, Indonesia

Growth and fodder yield of the Gliricidia sepium provenances in fence system in dryland farming area in Bali, Indonesia

Chemical composition and nutritive value of the Gliricidia sepium provenances in dryland farming area in Bali, Indonesia

Chemical composition and nutritive value of the Gliricidia sepium provenances in dryland farming area in Bali, Indonesia

Growth and fodder yield of the Gliricidia sepium provenances in alley cropping system in dryland farming area in Bali, Indonesia

Growth and fodder yield of the Gliricidia sepium provenances in alley cropping system in dryland farming area in Bali, Indonesia

Field validation of intraspecific variation in phosphorus use efficiency and nitrogen fixation by provenances of Gliricidia sepium grown in low P soils

Identification of tree species or cultivars/provenances that are tolerant to low levels of available soil P will decrease the dependence on P fertilizer for the good establishment and growth of N 2-fixing trees. The effects of phosphorus uptake and use efficiency on N 2 fixation and growth of provenances of Gliricidia sepium were determined in the greenhouse and also under field conditions. Three selected provenances out of 23 provenances that had in an earlier experiment been examined at low and high P levels (20 mg and 80 mg P kg −1 soil) were further studied at four levels of P application in the greenhouse at IITA, Ibadan using an Alfisol collected from Fashola. The field experiment was conducted at Fashola (Guinea Savanna Zone), southwestern Nigeria. Large differences in growth occurred among the G. sepium provenances at both low and high P levels. Growth responses of the three provenances to increasing P levels were linear in the pot experiment but variable (linear and quadratic) in the field experiment. Field data show that the growth of one provenance (G 1) did not respond to P application while provenance G 3 required 80 kg P ha −1 to achieve maximum biomass. Provenance G 2 responded to P application up to 40 kg P ha −1 and further addition of P depressed its growth, P uptake and N 2 fixation. The results of the pot experiment were not completely duplicated in the field experiments. Differences between G. sepium provenances to P uptake and growth were largely related to differences in physiological P use efficiency and root length, especially at low P, both in the pot and field experiments. In general, nodulation was improved by P application, but varied among provenances. G. sepium fixed approximately 61% and 40% of its N from atmospheric N 2 in pot and field, respectively. The percentage of N fixed was affected by the low rate of P application i.e. 20 kg P ha −1 and at high rates of P, no further increase in percentage N 2 fixed occurred.

Evaluation of Gliricidia sepium provenances for alley cropping in Malawi

Nine provenances of Gliricidia sepium were evaluated to identify the most productive when managed under alley cropping at Kawinga in Machinga, Malawi. Individual provenances constituted plots arranged in randomized block design with six replications. One year after establishment, survival of the provenances ranged between 82 and 97%, whereas height and diameter varied between 1.6 and 2.2 m and 16.7 and 23.5 mm respectively. Wood basic density ranged between 393 and 450 kg m −3, whereas average above ground biomass for the 3 year period varied between 7.0 and 10.9 t ha −1 per year. Foliar nutrient content varied from 2.58 to 3.15% (nitrogen), 0.17 to 0.20% (phosphorus), 0.98 to 1.77% (potassium), 1.56 to 2.97% (calcium), 0.67 to 2.55% (magnesium) and 0.04 to 0.05% (sodium). Although biomass production between provenances varied significantly only at certain lopping stages, within-provenance variations were noticed throughout in all the traits assessed. Such variations indicate that both provenance and individual tree selection methods can be used in the genetic improvement of G. sepium for specific agroforestry uses. The overall most productive provenances were Retalhuleu (14/84), Pontezuela Bolivar (24/86), Volcan Suchitan (13/84) and Francisco (37/85) provenances. These provenances are therefore recommended for further testing to address appropriate agroforestry requirements in different agroecological zones.

Biological nitrogen fixation in four Gliricidia sepium genotypes

A field experiment was conducted at the Coconut Research Institute in Sri Lanka to examine the biological nitrogen fixation potential of three Gliricidia sepium provenances (OFI 14/84, 17/84, 12/86) and a local landrace (designated LL), using the 15N isotope dilution method. There was marked variation in dry matter, total N, nodulation and 15N enrichment among the Gliricidia genotypes (=0.001), and the dry matter yield of Cassia siamea (syn. Senna siamea), the non-N2 fixing reference plant was higher than for G. sepium. In all cases, highest biomass and total N were aboveground, with roots on average accounting for < 20 % of total dry matter or the total N in plants. Atom % 15N excess was highest in C. siamea, and lowest in OFI 14/84. Although atom % 15N excess was lower in Gliricidia leaves than in the other organs (all of which had similar 15N enrichments), values of % N derived from atmospheric N2 fixation (% Ndfa) calculated for any individual organ or for the whole plant were similar. This was because the relative distribution of 15N in the different parts of the fixing plant followed the same trend as in the reference plant. There were significant differences (p=0.01) in N2 fixation between the Gliricidia genotypes. The values ranged from 17.8 g N tree-1 (equivalent to 86 kg N ha-1 at 5000 trees ha-1) in OFI 12/86 to 61.7g N tree-1 (equivalent to 309 kg N ha-1) in OFI 14/84. Although most of this variability was due to differences in both % Ndfa and total N in plant, amount of N fixed was more correlated with total N in plant (r=0.935) than with % Ndfa (r=0.707). On average, % Ndfa in all three G. sepium provenances and LL was about 55 % or 34.6 g N tree-1 (equivalent to some 166 kg N ha-1) in the 9 months within which N2 fixation was measured. This represents a substantial contribution of N into the soil-plant system.

Performance of fifteen provenances of Gliricidia sepium in eastern Zambia

Fifteen provenances of Gliricidia sepium from Central and South America were planted at Msekera near Chipata in Eastern Zambia. The trial was evaluated at 27 and 39 months after planting for survival, height, diameter growth and above ground biomass production. At 27 months, the provenances showed good survival and mean height ranged from 2.8 to 4.5 m for provenances Playa Tamarindo (Costa Rica) and Retalhuleu (Guatemala) respectively. Above ground biomass showed a lot of variation between provenances with the production ranging from 8 to 32 t ha −1 for provenances Palmasola (Mexico) and Retalhuleu (Guatemala) respectively. At 39 months, the variation in total above ground biomass production was maintained with the biomass ranging from 9 to 33 t ha −1 in Pedasi (Panama) and Pontezuelo (Columbia) respectively. At 39 months, height growth ranged from 2.8 m to 4.9 m in provenances Pedasi (Panama) and Pontezuela (Columbia) respectively. Above ground biomass production for 1 year coppice ranged from 3.37 to 11.76 t ha −1 for provenances Palmasola (Mexico) and Pontezuela Bolivar (Columbia) respectively. Analysis of leaf samples showed low variation in nitrogen content (3.01–3.99%) for the provenances studied. The large differences in growth rates and biomass production of G. sepium provenances emphasize the large genetic variation and the importance of identifying the right seed source. At this early stage of screening, the best performing provenances are Pontezuela (Columbia) and Retalhuleu (Guatemala), whilst the poorest was Palmasola (Mexico). Further evaluation is necessary on specific utilization needs and resistance to pests and diseases before ultimate provenances for agroforestry are chosen and/or improved for conditions in the Miombo ecozone.

Variation in relative palatability to sheep amongGliricidia sepium provenances

The cafeteria technique using three-year-old West African Dwarf sheep was used to determine relative palatability differences within 28 provenances ofGliricidia sepium collected from West Africa and Central America.Leucaena leucocephala andGuazuma ulmifolia were included as controls. Significant differences (P 90%), medium (RPI 60–90%) and low (RPI<60%) preference rankings. The importance of the differences in relative palatability is discussed in relation to Gliricidia-based alley farming in the humid West African region.

Variation in growth, sources of nitrogen and N-use efficiency by provenances of Gliricidia sepium

Exploiting genetic differences among trees to fix N 2 can improve tree growth on N-poor soils and preserve soil N. Variation in growth, biological N 2 fixation (BNF) and the mineral N use efficiency of 9 provenances of uninoculated, inoculated and N-fertilized Gliricidia sepium were studied in a greenhouse experiment. Both the 15N isotope dilution and A-value methods were used to estimate BNF. Soil in the uninoculated and inoculated treatments were labelled with either 20 mg N kg −1 soil of 10 atom % 15N excess KNO 3 (designated unfertilized), or 100 mg N kg −1 soil of 2 atom % 15N excess KNO 3 (designated fertilized). Significant variation was found between provenances in shoot dry weight within uninoculated (up to 62% differences) and inoculated (up to 35% differences) treatments. There were no significant differences in atom % 15N excess between the N-fertilized G. sepium provenances. Atom 15N excess of the uninoculated unfertilized plants varied significantly between 1.413 and 2.440, and nodules were observed on the roots. The method used to measure BNF influenced the values obtained; the isotope dilution method gave significantly lower values than the A value method. Lower values of the isotope dilution method were attributed to the nodulation which occurred when reference plants were grown at the lower, but not higher, N rate. The A value method was consequently judged to provide more reliable estimates of BNF. The percentage of N derived from atmospheric N 2 varied among provenances and ranged from 56% for provenance 24/86 to 74% for provenances 14/84 and 15/84 all from Guatemala. Growth of provenances 11/86 from Costa Rica and 41/85 from Mexico responded well to inoculation but not to fertilizer, although having similar total N with both treatments. Various provenances gave no response to inoculation or added N. Such observation suggests genotypic differences in physiological use of absorbed soil N and in fixed N 2 which may not be parallel.

Intra-specific variation in growth and P accumulation of Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium as influenced by soil phosphate status

Twenty-three provenances of Gliricidia sepium and eleven isolines of Leucaena leucocephala were examined at a low and at high phosphate levels (20 and 80 mg P kg-1 soil) for growth, phosphate (P) uptake and use efficiency. Large differences in growth at the low P level, and in growth response to the higher P rate occurred among L. leucocephala isolines and G. sepium provenances. Shoot dry weight at low P varied from 1.30 to 3.01 g plant-1 for L. leucocephala and from 1.44 to 3.07 g plant-1 for G. sepium.

EVALUATION OFGLIRICIDIA SEPIUMPROVENANCES FOR THE LOW COUNTRY HUMID ZONE OF SRI LANKA

SUMMARY Growth and biomass production in 13 provenances of Gliricidia sepium were compared with the local landrace using a randomised complete block design. OFI provenances 14/84, 17/84 and 24/86 introduced from Guatemala and Colombia were found to be genetically superior and exhibit wide ecological adaptability compared to the local landrace.

Genetic variation in seed germination and seedling growth of 24 Gliricidia sepium provenances

Gliricidia sepium is gaining attention as a potential agroforestry tree species for fuelwood production in densely populated dry areas in Malawi. Accordingly, a provenance trial was undertaken to evaluate variation within the species. The nursery stage of this trial showed significant differences in seed germination and seedling survival between provenances. Although germination was good with most provenances, three provenances from Mexico (Barrosa, Francisco and San Jose) achieved less than 50% germination. However, once germinated, the ability of the seedlings to survive in the nursery was high (> 50% in all cases) although minor significant provenance differences in survival occurred. Seedling growth varied significantly between provenances, but none of the traits assessed (height, diameter and dry-weight) was related with any of the seed-origin site characteristics (latitude, longitude and altitude). The nursery results therefore have demonstrated considerable genetic variation in G. sepium, emphasizing the importance of a nursery-evaluation phase in provenance-elimination trials. The levels of genetic variation observed during this phase suggested that useful gains might be obtained in this species by breeding.

Genetic variation in seeds and seedlings of ten provenances of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud.

Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. is a widespread legume species in the Central American and Caribbean region; it is used as firewood and living fence posts, for charcoal production and shade. This paper presents the results from a preliminary study of seed and seedlings of 10 provenances from Guatemala and Costa Rica. Statistically significant differences were detected in most of the seed and seedling traits assessed, although the genetic variation between provenances for seedling variables was quite low. A decreasing tendency in seed size was found in provenances with lighter seeds from lower elevations; this characteristic was significantly correlated with the dry weight of the seedling at 60 days old. Better representative samples from the natural distribution of Gliricidia are needed to quantify the genetic variation of this species for further improvement programs.