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Growth and Nodulation Status of Seven Multipurpose Tree Legumes Grown in Hill Soils Under Nursery Conditions

M. S. Hossain
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh.

M. K. Hossain
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh.

B. Koirala
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Seven multipurpose tree legumes namely, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Acacia nilotica, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia procera, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala were grown in polybags containing the soil of barren hilly areas of Chittagong University campus area. The study was evaluated for the comparative growth and nodulation status with an aim to select suitable species for the reforestation programs in the degraded hilly areas of the country. Initial growth response determined from shoot length, collar diameter and total dry weight of the seedlings were found to be highest in Gliricidia sepium. However, the nodule number was significantly higher in Acacia auriculiformis followed by Albizia lebbeck and nodule dry weight was significantly higher in Albizia lebbeck. Gliricidia sepium stands first in comparative performance gradation whereas A. procera was seventh in position.

Keywords: Degraded soil, Fast growing species, Legumes, Nodulation, Seedling growth

Location: Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Tree

Objectives:

To assess the comparative growth and nodulation potential of the selected species in hill soils under nursery conditions.

Methodology:

This study was carried out in the nursery of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong. Potting soils were collected from the barren hilly areas of University Campus. Polybags of 25 cm X 15 cm in size were used for the experiment. The soil was sieved £ 2 mm to remove stones, roots and other debris. In total, 126 polybags were filled and arranged in the nursery in 7 sets with 18 replicates in a randomized block design. Healthy, mature and ripen seeds of seven multipurpose tree legumes namely, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Acacia nilotica, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia procera, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala were procured from Silvicultural Research Division of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), Chittagong. Large and uniform seeds were selected for the study. The seeds were treated with hot water for 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on the species followed by overnight soaking in cold water to enhance germination. The seeds were sown on petridishes over a moist filter paper. The germinating seeds were then transferred to polybags and the seedlings were allowed to grow in the nursery. Adequate watering and care was taken regularly. At the age of four months, three seedlings of each species were harvested randomly and brought to the laboratory. The polybags were gently tom and root and shoot components of the seedlings were separated carefully. The roots systems were separated from the soil with the help of regulated water pressure to avoid physical damage. The nodules were then separated from the root using a forceps and the nodule dry weight was taken. After counting the nodule number fresh and dry weight of the shoot, root and leaf were taken. Growth of the seedlings were measured in terms of shoot length, collar diameter, root length and total oven dry weight of seedlings, while nodulation was studied in terms of nodule number and its dry weight. The data were subjected to analysis of variance to test for significant difference in different parameters among the species studied. The means were compared using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study was evaluated for the comparative growth and nodulation status with an aim to select suitable species for the reforestation programs in the degraded hilly areas of the country. Initial growth response determined from shoot length, collar diameter and total dry weight of the seedlings were found to be highest in Gliricidia sepium. However, the nodule number was significantly higher in Acacia auriculiformis followed by Albizia lebbeck and nodule dry weight was significantly higher in Albizia lebbeck. Gliricidia sepium stands first in comparative performance gradation whereas A. procera was seventh in position. All the seven plants were graded one to seven considering their responses from higher to lower order for the individual parameter and finally the scores obtained by each plant for all the parameters were added and percentage value was calculated. From this percentage scoring it was found that Gliricidia sepium scored the highest rank followed by Albizia lebbeck, Acacia mangium, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia nilotica and Albizia procera respectively. The poorest performance was found in Albizia procera. Considering all these, Gliricidia sepium is the most suitable species for the plantation programs followed by Albizia lebbeck in degraded soils in the hilly areas of Chittagong. However, further research should be carried out with more leguminous multipurpose tree species at field level before going for large scale plantation programs.

Knowledge Management: Journal