Track 2-6-2: Forests, Agroforestry and Wildlife towards Integrated, Productive Landscapes
Description
Leucaena leucocephala-grass pastures are widely used for ruminant feeding in tropical and subtropical regions. In Australia, over 200,000 ha of leucaena grass pasture have been planted with more plantings expected as it is recognized as the most productive, profitable and sustainable feeding system (Shelton and Dalzell, 2007). Planting densities and planting configurations for the leucaena component vary, ranging from single or double leucaena hedgerows 3 to 12 m apart (Radrizzani et al., 2010). There is little information about how tree/grass planting configurations and resulting inter- and intraspecific competition affect above and below-ground interactions. We hypothesise that individual leucaena tree biomass will be inversely related to leucaena tree density, with greatest competition at low density, while medium to high leucaena densities will reduce grass biomass production.
Included in
The Effect of Tree Densities on the Biomass of Leucaena leucocephala and Chloris gayana Using a Nelder Fan Design
Leucaena leucocephala-grass pastures are widely used for ruminant feeding in tropical and subtropical regions. In Australia, over 200,000 ha of leucaena grass pasture have been planted with more plantings expected as it is recognized as the most productive, profitable and sustainable feeding system (Shelton and Dalzell, 2007). Planting densities and planting configurations for the leucaena component vary, ranging from single or double leucaena hedgerows 3 to 12 m apart (Radrizzani et al., 2010). There is little information about how tree/grass planting configurations and resulting inter- and intraspecific competition affect above and below-ground interactions. We hypothesise that individual leucaena tree biomass will be inversely related to leucaena tree density, with greatest competition at low density, while medium to high leucaena densities will reduce grass biomass production.
