We studied growth and water use by Acacia crassicarpa, Leucaena pallida and Senna siamea that were established and managed together with field crops for three consecutive years. At the end of the third year the fields were left fallow to allow trees to grow and build up soil fertility. Tree growth parameters and survival were monitored at different period of the study. The amount of water transpired by trees was measured by using heat pulse system on three-year-old trees. The studied species established effective woodlots with good stands and A. crassicarpa had the fastest growth rate. Results on water use showed that the mean daily transpiration by A. crassicarpa, L. pallida and S. siamea ranged from 350 to 1,700 grams and was largely determined by the stem diameters, the size of the tree canopy and the soil moisture availability. Acacia crassicarpa showed better performance in terms of growth height and root collar diameter while L. pallida showed better water utilisation. The results have implications on the benefits of the rotational woodlots technology in providing products and services while conserving soil and water resources for sustainable development.
Publication year
2002
Authors
Nyadzi G I; Otsyina R M; Ong C K
Language
English
Keywords
acacia crassicarpa, agroforestry systems, fallow, leucaena, senna siamea, species, transpiration, trees, water resources
Geographic
Tanzania
