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

Abstract

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.