GROWTH RATES OF FIVE TROPICAL LEGUMINOUS FUEL WOOD SPECIES

Abstract

Productivity of the multipurpose, leguminous trees Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena diversifolia, Acacia auriculiformis, Calliandra calothyrsus and Sesbania grandiflora was examined under close spacing and intensive management. These trees are important components of tropical farming systems and are capable of supporting nitrogen-fixing root nodules by Rhizobium. Experiments to compare the growth rates of the five species were conducted at five sites in Hawaii and the Philippines. Height, diameter and wood volume increments up to two years of age are reported. Wood volume equations are also presented for small diameter stems for each species. Leucaena leucocephala and L. diversifolia consistently produced the largest wood yields, as much as 97 m³/ha/y on agricultural soils. Significant location x species inter-actions were found which reflect different site requirements for each species.