The influence of cutting height, planting density, harvesting frequency and fertilization on edible dry matter yield of leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de wit

Abstract

Leucaena leucocephala was evaluated to determine the agronomic and management requirements of this legume in Natal. The objectives were to test the effect of maintaining hedge‐rows at different heights, and to investigate the effect of different densities, harvest intervals and fertilization on edible dry matter (EDM) production of L. leucocephala plants grown in the pure stand situation. Cutting plants in hedge‐rows at 0,3, 0,6, 0,9, 1,2 and 1,5m respectively resulted in significant increases in yield of EDM with increases in height which ranged from 2,3 to 3,1 t/ha. By increasing the density of plants from 12 346 to 444 444 plants/ha, a significantly greater production of EDM was obtained. A harvest interval of six weeks was significantly better than four and eight week intervals. Fertilization increased production to a greater extent with a shorter cutting interval. Yields ranged from 1,6 to 5,7 t/ha for the pure stand situation.

Uittreksel

Leucaena leucocephala is bestudeer om die agronomiese‐ en bestuursvereistes van die peulgewas in Natal te bepaal. Die invloed van snoei om die plante tot lanings van spesifieke hoogtes te handhaaf asook die invloed van verskeie plantpopulasiedigthede, oestussenposes en bemesting op die vreetbare droe materiaal (VDM) opbrengs van L. leucocephala plante in suiwer stand is bepaal. Deur plante te snoei in lanings van 0,3, 0,6, 0,9, 1,2en 1,5m onderskeidelik is betekenisvolle verbeterde opbrengste in VDM van 2,3 tot 3,1 t/ha met toename in laninghoogte verkry. Met ‘n toename in plantpopulasiedigtheid van 12 346 tot 444 444 plante\ha is ‘n betekenisvol hoer VDM produksie verkry. Die opbrengs met n oestussenpose van ses weke was betekenisvol beter teenoor oestussenposes van vier of agt weke. Na gelang die snoeitussenposes verminder het, het bemestingproduksie tot n groter mate verbeter. Die VDM opbrengs het van 1,6 tot 5,7 t[ha in die suiwer stand gewissel.

Notes

This work forms part of a dissertation to be submitted by the senior author in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a M.Sc. Agric. in Pasture Science at the University of Natal.