Response of three Leucaena leucocephala cultivars to a four-cycle cutting frequency under rainfed dryland conditions in Zimbabwe

• Main Authors: Nyathi, P, Dhliwayo, H. H, Dzowela, B. H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: National University of Science and Technolgy, Bulawayo 01.06.1995
• Subjects: amenity planting; arboret; arboreta; arboretos; arboretum; arboricultur; arboricultura ornamental; arboriculture; arboriculture ornementale; Cultivar; GFIS; Leucaena leucocephala; ornamental plants; planta ornamenta; plantacao de recreaca; plantacion de recreo; plantas ornamentales; plantation d\'agrement; plante ornementale; Sandy-soils; Zimbabwe

An experiment was conducted to investigate the relative case or establishment and dry matter (DM) production of 3 Leucaena leucocephala cultivars (Cunningham, Hawaiian giant and Peru) grown on granite-derived sandy soil (pH 4.8 CaCl2 under low rainfall (average 600mm/ annum) conditions. Plants were first harvested after 9 months of primary growth and at 4- monthly intervals thereafter, by cutting back to 50 cm above ground-level. " Cunningham was quicker to establish than Peru and Hawaiian giant as evidenced by greater DM production in the 9-month period following planting. With cutting at 4-monthly intervals thereafter, Peru produced only half as much dry matter as Cunningham and Hawaiian giant.