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Cultivation of Gliricidia sepium (Gliricidia) and its use for improving soil fertility

Article · January 2013

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Prasann Kumar Pankaj Kumar Mishra

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Journal of The Kalash Science, Volume-1, Number-1, 2013 : 131-133

Cultivation of Gliricidia sepium (Gliricidia) and its use for improving soil fertility
Prasann Kumar1 and Pankaj Kumar Mishra2
1
Department of plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Email Id: [email protected]

Accepted: 16 March 2013

Abstract

Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. (Syn. Gliricidia maculate H.B.K.) is a fast growing, tropical, leguminous tree, known
commonly as Gliricidia or Madre tree, Gliricidia sepium is well known in plantation agriculture as a shade tree. Therefore, it
is also called the Mother of Cocoa. It is a nitrogen-fixing tree that is native to Central and South America. Gliricidia was
introduced to Sri Lanka from West Indies and later to India. 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. Gliricidia is a small
fast growing, deciduous, thorn less tree. Its short trunk is covered with soft gray bark marked by longitudinal cracks. It grows
up to 10 m height. It has an open crown and a trunk of less than 30 cm diameter. The trees are used for timber, firewood.
Hedges, medicinal purpose, charcoal, live fences, plantation shade, poles, soil stabilization and as green manure. The toxic
property of the seeds and bark has given rise to the generic epithet.

Introduction role in tropical farming systems for increasing the

soil fertility. Growing Gliricidia plants on farm
Gliricidia sepium adapts very well in a wide bunds serves dual purpose of production green
range of soils ranging from eroded acidic (pH leaf manure rich in N, under field conditions and
4.5-6.2) soils, fertile sandy soils, heavy clay, also helps in conserving soil through reduced soil
calcareous limestone and alkaline soils. Gliricidia erosion.
tolerates fire and the tree, quickly re-sprout with Morphological and biochemical features of
the onset of rains. Soils in the tropics are low in Gliricidia
organic matter and have low nutrient supplying
capacity. Soil organic matter plays an important 1. The leaves contain nutrients: Nitrogen (N)
role in crop production. Continuous application (2.4%), Phosphorus (P) (0.1%),
of organic matter as farm compost, farmyard Potassium (K) (1.8%), Calcium (Ca) and
manure and plant residues is needed to maintain magnesium (Mg).
or increase soil organic matter content. However,
short supply of organic manures and competitive 2. It grows fast and is tolerant to pruning.
uses of farm residues as feed and fuel make it
3. The foliage can be used as green manure.
difficult to apply these to soil at desirable levels.
Green leaf manuring is one of the important 4. It can thrive in dry, moist, acidic soils or
farming practices for increasing organic matter even poor degraded, infertile soils under
content in the soil. In highly degraded soils, rainfed conditions.
especially in the tropics, soil lack sufficient
amount of Nitrogen (N). Green leaf manure 5. Gliricidia is a root nodulating, N-fixing
plants such as Gliricidia can play an important and multipurpose legume.

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Prasann Kumar and Pankaj Kumar Mishra

Cultivation and management practices Pruning

Propagation- Gliricidia can be propagated One year after planting, harvesting can be
through stem cuttings or seed (Wilkinson & started by lopping the plants at 75 cm above the
Eelvitch 2003). ground. For good management, plants should be
pruned at appropriate time. Pruning should be
Stem cutting or stake method done at least thrice during the year i.e., in June
Gliricidia cutting are taken from stems of at (before sowing of the rainy season crop), in
least one year-old plants. These should be from November (before sowing of the post rainy
brownish-green mature branches and should season crop), and in March (before sowing of the
measure 2-6 cm in diameter and 30-100cm in summer crops).
length. The stem cutting is normally cut Chopping
obliquely at both ends, discarding the younger Gliricidia loppings are cut into small pieces.
tips and the base is inserted 20-50 cm into the The chopped material is applied to the soil
soil. The cuttings should be planted on bunds in surface as mulch or incorporated into the soil as
the rainy season immediately after these are cut green manure.
from the stems. The plants grow quickly from
cuttings. Propagation from stakes is simple but Benefits of Gliricidia
suitable mainly for situations where only a few Role in soil management
trees are to be established. For hedges, cuttings 1. Increase organic matter content in the soil
are planted closely at 50 cm spacing. The hedge and increases crop yields (Makumba et al
can be periodically pruned to provide fodder, 2006).
green manure, firewood or stakes for new fences.
2. Improve soil physical properties.
Seed propagation 3. Restore and improves the soil fertility and
Gliricidia seeds are soaked in water for 8-10 reduces soil erosion.
h, preferably overnight. The soaked seeds are 4. Allows the water to infiltrate into the soil
sown in small polythene bags filled with a more quickly rather than run off the
mixture of red soil, sand and farmyard manure surface.
(1:1:1) and watered regularly. Generally, 3-4 5. Increase water-holding capacity of the
month old seedlings can be planted on bunds in soil.
the rainy season. Seed propagation method is
more convenient for establishing a large number 6. Increases nutrient availability in the soil
of plants. due to production of carbon dioxide and
organic acids during decomposition of the
Planting plant material.
Gliricidia stem cutting or 3-4 month old 7. Adds valuable nutrients such as N, P, K,
seedlings can be planted on buds at 50 cm Ca and Mg to the soil. Gliricidia plants
spacing during the rainy season. For steep slopes, grown on 700-m long bunds can provide
closer plant spacing of <20 cm is recommended about 30 kg N ha-1yr-1 under rainfed
for better soil erosion control. Gliricidia plants systems with 700-800mm annual rainfall.
from stem cuttings grow faster than those grown 8. Reduced environmental risks associated
from seeds. with chemical fertilizers. Use of Gliricidia

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 Journal of The Kalash Science, Volume-1, Number-1, 2013 : 131-133

as green manure minimizes the usage of of 2.0 m and maintained as a hedge.

chemical fertilizers that are very Benefits to farmers
expensive and also environmentally 1. Enhancement of soil productivity.
unfriendly. 1. It produces a very high quality green
9. Acts as a barrier and filter to the rainwater manure, and may contain as much as 4%
running down the surface of a slope. nitrogen (N) in its leaves (Makumba,
Gliricidia roots stabilize lands with high 2003).
slopes. 2. Increase in crop yield.
10. Leaves of Gliricidia contain more than Benefits to environment
20% crude protein and are nutritious for 1. Improved soil quality and reduced soil
cattle. But livestock not conditioned to it erosion (Wander 2004).
may not readily eat it. In such situations, 2. Reduced pollution as the use of chemical
wilting the leaf may be helpful. fertilizers is minimized.
Additional uses Benefits to national economy
1. Plants are grown a live fence. 1. Sustainable agricultural productivity.
2. Stems are used as fuel wood. 2. Reduced reliance on fossil fuels for
3. Plants serve as support for other plant producing fertilizers.
species. 3. Increased carbon sequestration (Makumba
4. A mixture of ground leaves or bark and et al 2007).
cooked seeds of Gliricidia is used as Farmers should be encouraged to grow
poisonous bait for rats. Gliricidia on farm bunds and borders of field.
5. Leaves are used as insecticides and insect Use of Gliricidia as green manure in crop
repellent. production systems provides a sustainable mean
6. The tree produces dense masses of of soil fertility along with inorganic sources of
attractive white or pink flowers. The nutrients.
flowers are a good source of forage for Acknowledgement
bees. The flowers appear during January The authors are highly grateful to Dr. S.P.
March when the tree is leafless. It can be Wani (Principle Scientist) (Watersheds and
grown along paths of parks, gardens and Regional Project Coordinator) ICRISAT,
avenues. It can also be pruned to a height Hyderabad for guidance and cooperation.

References
Makumba, W. 2003. Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Carbon Sequestration in Legume Tree-based Agroforestry Systems. A Case Study in
Malawi. Wageningen University and Research Center, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Makumba, W., B. Janssen, O. Oenema, F.K. Akinnifesi, D. Mweta & F. Kwesiga 2006. The long-term effects of a gliricidia-maize
intercropping system in Southern Malawi, on gliricidia and maize yields, and soil properties. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ.,
116: 85–92.
Makumba, W., F. Akinnifesi, B. Janssen, & O. Oenema, 2007. Long-term impact of a gliricidia-maize intercropping system on carbon
sequestration in southern Malawi. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 118: 237–243.
Wander, M., 2004. Soil organic matter fractions and their relevance to soil function. In: Soil Organic Matter and Sustainable Agriculture
Edited by F. Magdoff, & R.R. Weil, CRC Press, Pp. 67–102.
Wilkinson, K.M. & C.R. Eelvitch 2003. Propagation protocol for production of container Gliricidia sepium (Jacb.) Walp. Plants. In: Native
Plant Network. University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources, Forest Research Nursery, Moscow, Idaho.
http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org.

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