Gliricidia as the Marvellous Tree for Improving Soil Fertility in Agriculture
R. Sathya Priya*
Dept. of Agronomy, Directorate of Crop Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
R. Kuttimani
Dept. of Agronomy, Directorate of Crop Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
N. Jagathjothi
Dept. of Agronomy, Directorate of Crop Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Legume tree, Living fence, Nitrogen fixation, Soil fertility
Abstract
Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. (Syn. Gliricidia maculate H.B.K.) is a fast growing tropical, leguminous tree commonly known as Gliricidia or Madre tree. It is one of the commonest and best known multipurpose trees in many parts of Central America, Mexico, West Africa, West Indies, South Asia and Tropical Americas. It grown in lowland areas of the tropics having mean annual temperature of 22-30 °C and rainfall of 800-1700 mm. Growing Gliricidia trees on farm bunds serves dual purpose for the production of green leaf manure rich in nitrogen, under field condition and also helps in conserving soil through reduced soil erosion. Leaves are used as insecticides and insect repellent. Trees are used for timber, firewood, hedges, medical purposes, charcoal, live fences, plantation shade, poles, soil stabilization and as green manure. Gliricidia can play an important role in tropical farming system for increasing the soil fertility over a period of long-term.
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Reference
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