Tropical leguminous species for acid soils: studies on plant form and growth in Costa Rica

• Published in: Forest ecology and management Vol. 108; no. 3; pp. 175 - 192
• Main Authors: Tilki, Fahrettin, Fisher, Richard F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 26.08.1998; Elsevier
• Subjects: ACACIA MANGIUM; ACID SOILS; AGROFORESTERIA; AGROFORESTERIE; AGROFORESTRY; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; ALBIZIA; Albizia guachapele; Biological and medical sciences; COSTA RICA; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; DALBERGIA RETUSA; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GROWTH; HABITOS DE CRECIMIENTO; INGA; Inga edulis; N 2-fixation; Native species; PITHECELLOBIUM; Pithecellobium elegans; Pithecellobium idiopodum; PLANT HABIT; PORT DE LA PLANTE; RECONSTITUTION FORESTIERE; REFORESTACION; REFORESTATION; Soil erosion, conservation, land management and development; Soil science; SOL ACIDE; Stryphnodendron microstachyum; SUELO ACIDO; Tree form; Central America; America; Costa Rica; N 2-fixation; Tree form; Growth; Native species; Agroforestry; Acid soil; Tropical zone; Interspecific comparison; Tropical crop; Nodulation; Aluminium; Metal; Afforestation; Inorganic element; Leguminosae; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Nitrogen fixation; Spermatophyta; Performance; Manganese
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-1127(98)00225-4

Few studies of adaptability and growth of native legume species have been conducted on degraded acid soils. The lack of data for native species has often precluded their use in incentive-supported reforestation and international agroforestry schemes. A species screening trial that included 25 legume species was conducted at three abandoned pasture sites in the Atlantic Lowland of Costa Rica. Most of the leguminous species were of potential multipurpose value: 8% were exotic N 2-fixing trees, 60% (some of which were N 2-fixers) were indigenous to the region, and 32% (some of which were N 2-fixers) were native to other areas of Costa Rica. Survival (including damage indices), growth, tree form and N 2-fixing ability were used to evaluate species performance. Survival of the majority of the species after 3 years was high. Pithecellobium idiopodum, Inga edulis, Albizia guachapele, Pithecellobium elegans and Dalbergia retusa had greater than 90% survival at all sites. There were significant differences in growth measures among species. Across sites Acacia mangium, Stryphnodendron microstachyum and Inga edulis produced the greatest stem volume, and A. mangium, I. edulis, P. idiopodum and S. microstachyum had the highest crown volume. Inga edulis, P. idiopodum, I. coruscans and P. macroloba failed to form straight single stems. Acetylene reduction assay at Site 3 showed that I. edulis, A. mangium, A. guichapele, and I. coruscans had the highest nitrogenase activity among the best growing species. This trial indicates that there are native leguminous species with excellent potential for reforestation and agroforestry on acid soils high in aluminum and manganese.