Response of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit (Leucaena) Provenances to Aluminium in Potted Soil Experiment

Abstract

Aims: To determine the level of acid or aluminium tolerance provenances in Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) a favourite agroforestry tree in Kenya. Study Design: The set up was a 2-factor (provenance-aluminium) experiment in a completely randomized design with three (3) replications and data were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance. Place and Duration of Study: Potted acid soil experiments were carried out at the Maseno ICRAF/KEFRI centre and Chepkoilel campus farm, Moi University, between June 2009 and July 2010. Methodology: Potted acid soil experiments were carried out at the Maseno ICRAF/KEFRI centre (pH 4.8) and Chepkoilel campus farm, Moi University (pH 5.0) to assess the effect of varying aluminium concentrations on growth of three local leucaena provenances: K156 (Gede), K136 (Kibwezi) and KIT2724 (Kitale). Aluminium was applied at 0, 100, 200 and 300 M. The number of leaves per seedling, seedling height, root length, root collar diameter and dry weight were recorded at 60 and 120 days after planting. Results: Generally Aluminium at 100 M significantly (p0.05) enhanced growth of the seedlings at both sites. However, aluminium at  200 M reduced seedling growth. Conclusion: The Leucaena provenance K156 could be used in acid soils because it is tolerant. However, more local provenances should be screened for acid tolerance.