Pattern of above-ground biomass production and allocation in leucaena leuococephala trees when planted at different spacing

Abstract EN

The pattern of production and distribution of biomass was measured in two year-old Leucaena /eucocepha/a (Lam.) de Wit trees grown from seeds.

Trees were planted in field with three spacing regimes viz.

0.70, 1.40 and 2.10 m.

The total biomass of individual trees increased with increasing spacing; as a consequence of increasing weight of main stem, branches and foliage.

On the other hand, biomass production per unit area did not change significantly.

The proportion of biomass allocated to branches increased from 25 to 37 and to 45 percent with increasing space from 0.70 to 1.40 and to 2.1 m.

This increases were at the expense of allocation to main stem which decreased by a quite similar magnitude (i.e.

47 to 33 and 22 percent).

Palnting Leucaena in closer spacing in arid areas, therefore, will be preferred for maximizing stem biomass production per unit ground area, for which the intention is paid when firewood is needed.