Leaf dry matter productivity of three selected perennial leguminous species in humid tropical Ivory Coast

Abstract

Leaf dry matter productivity has been measured at the end of regrowth cycles of 3 months for stands of Leucaena leucoeephala, Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla, all three species belonging to the Leguminosae. The effective period of observation was minimally 24 months, or 8 regrowth cycles, after a period of establishment of slightly more than a year. Using systematic trial designs, originally developed by NELDER, yield figures have been acquired for a broad range of plant densities. At a plant density of 10,000 trees per hectare the average yearly leaf DM productivity amounted to 15.4 ton for Leucaena leucocephala, 12.4 ton for Flemingia macrophylla and 10.5 ton for Gliricidia sepium.Productivity figures and leaf area indices are compared with those of relevant cropping systems.

Woody legumes as live support systems in yam cultivation

“…At e.g. 10,000 plants per hectare Leucaena leucocephala produces about 1.5 times the leaf DM Gliricidia sepium can produce [4]. Moreover, Leucaena leucocephala leaves have a higher surface (:) weight ratio compared to Gliricidia sepium which means that the differences in occupation of splice is even larger; Leucaena leucocephala has a LAI 1.6 times that of Gliricidia sepium.…”

“…Root systems of the three leguminous perennials were studied in three fan-shaped spacing trials that served to measure species leaf productivity [4]. At the moment of this study the stands were nearly four years old, and well-established.…”

“…Both, however, have promising aspects, especially in terms of biomass productivity and nitrogen fixation [4,13]. Furthermore, the leaves of Flerningia macrophylla have been found to decompose relatively slowly, and its mulch can be successfully applied in weedcontrol [3], soil water conservation and soil temperature reduction [7].…”

The potential of alley cropping in improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia I. Chitemene and Fundikila

“…Flemingia congesta was chosen as the hedgerow species due to its high biomass production recorded elsewhere [Budelman, 1988b], and its success in alley cropping systems in Nigeria [Yamoah et al, 1986b]. Seeds were germinated in a sand seedbed in the nursery, and transplanted to plastic pots one month later.…”

“…The trees were not pruned in the first year (1986/87) because of their small size, and only once in the second year. Thereafter, however, they were pruned twice per year to a height of 50 cm [Budelman, 1988b].…”