Performance of Leucaena leucocephala, Seedlings in Two Agro-climatic Regions of Kenya

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the response of Leucaena seedlings planted in two variant agro-climatic regions, Chepkoilel Campus and Maseno in Kenya. The experiment was a 2-factor (provenance – site) split plot design with five replications. Three provenances were randomly assigned to the sub-plots. A block measuring 60 m by 30 m was divided into two plots, which were separated by a 1 m strip of land. The study was conducted at Chepkoilel College Campus and Maseno farms in Kenya. Farm experiments were conducted. Soil samples were amended with lime at the rate of 6.6 ton/ha. Three genotypes of Leucaena were planted. At 60 DAP and 120 DAP, seedlings were subjected to analysis to determine seedling height, root length, root collar diameter, leaf number and seedling biomass at both sites. There was variation in the performance of each provenance based on the growth parameters assessed between the two sites. KIT2724 recorded the highest means in all growth attributes followed by K136, and the lowest means was recorded by K156 at Maseno. However, in Chepkoilel, K136 recorded the best performance in the growth attributes followed by KIT2724 and lastly by K156. L. leucocephala provenances (K136) seedling growing in the field at Chepkoilel bore flowers and pods at the age of 6 months. The seedlings of L. leucocephala grew faster at Maseno than at Chepkoilel. With liming, KIT2724 and K136 could be grown in acid soils especially in both Maseno and Uasin Gishu Districts where agroforestry practice is being promoted. However, K156 seems to be more tolerant to soil acidity and the genetic basis of this tolerance should be further established.