Leucaena diversifolia Progeny trial -cum-Seed Orchard
Expt. no
KENLD96/04
Project
2.2 Genetic Resources of Agroforestry Trees
Location
Kenya, Muguga
Principal investigator
Were, James
Collaborators
Simons, Tony (ICRAF)
Dawson, Ian (ICRAF)
Kenya Forest Seed Centre
International Institute of Biological Control
Starting date
05/96
Planned end
05/2003
Justification
Timely availability of adequate quantities of high quality tree seed is vital for the success of
any tree planting activity, Agroforestry included. Leucaena spp have been used in a wide
variety of Agroforestry activities except that germplasm used has been mainly of the fast
growing Leucaena leucocephala. With the recent Leucaena psyllid problem in many parts of
the world, there is need to diversify and use other Leucaenas in place of those that are
susceptible to psyllid attack. The progeny trials will enable us to select superior families and
provenances of other Leucaenas for use in psyllid affected areas while the conversion of
these stands for seed production will help to fill the big gap in seed supply shortfalls that are
affecting many Agroforestry activities.
Objectives
(i) To compare survival, establishment and early growth among 20 families of Leucaena
diversifolia ssp diversifolia
(ii) To develop protocols for Leucaena spp seed stand planting and management
(iii) To produce seed of Leucaena diversifolia ssp diversifolia
Treatments
20 families from 1 provenance of Leucaena diversifolia ssp diversifolia
Statistical design
Incomplete block design, with 4 blocks of 5 plots (=20 trees) within each replicate.
Replicates
20
Field layout
4 tree line plots, with no additional spaces between adjacent plots
1m spacing within lines
4m spacing between lines
Tree Material
Leucaena diversifolia 83/92
Tree Management
Trees will be thinned from the original spacing of 1m X 4m to 2m X 4m
Also steps will be taken to protect trees from browsers and other damage.
Tree Observations
Initial survival
Height growth (6-monthly)
Diameter Growth (6-monthly)
Number of stems per tree (6-monthly)
Seed production per tree