Falcata free essay sample

In other trials with 34 and 50% falcataria, total biomass was equal to or better than that of pure stands (Schubert  et al  1988). Falcataria also shows potential in alley farming. In a trial on acid soils (pH 4. 2) in Indonesia, trees were managed in hedges 4 m apart and produced 2- 3 dry tons of green leaf manure/ha/yr. Application of falcataria green leaf manure doubled upland rice yields and more than quadrupled cowpea yields as compared to control plots (Evensen  et al  1987). In 1988, however, concerns surfaced about the longevity of falcataria in alley cropping systems (Evensen, pers. comm. . Falcataria also is grown as an ornamental, al though it seldom lives more than 50 years (APCF 1987) and its brittle branches can be a problem in windy areas. Raharjo and Cheeke (1985) reported that foliage scored well in some palatability tests with rabbits and poorly in others. P. falcataria  is one of the fastest growing of all tree species,   reaching 7 m in height in one y ear under ideal conditions Its wood is soft and generally light in color with a reported specific gravity range of 0. 20 to 0. 49 (NAS 1979; Little, undated). Ecotypes with denser wood have been found at PICOP plantations. Despite its low specific gravity and caloric value, its fast growth and vigorous coppicing ability make it worth considering as firewood (NAS 1983). It is used as firewood in Western Samoa, the Philippines and Java, where it is frequently planted in home gardens for fuelwood and timber with herbaceous and fruit crops. It makes a good charcoal. Seedlings are susceptible to root rot caused by Betrydiplodie and Sclerotium (Domingo 1977). Leaf spots are caused by  Phyllachora  pterocarpil  and  Pestalotia  species. Stem and branch canker is caused by  Coticum salmonicolor  (Quinones 1980, de Guzman 1974). Pests such as larvae of yellow butterflies (Eurema  sp. ) have been reported to attack plantations in the Philippines, Malaysia and Burma (Domingo 1977). The stem borer,  Kysomerafestiva  sp. , is an important pest in Burma, Indonesia and Vietnam (Domingo 1967). Shoot pruner beetles (Callimetopus  sp. ) occasionally have caused significant damage to trees in the Philippines (Braza 1988). PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS:  Since falcataria is easily damaged by high winds, most successful plantations in the Philippines are found in areas not frequently hit by typhoons. The tree regenerates so easily by natural seeding on any clearing that it can spread rapidly and become a pest. However, falcataria is very susceptible to herbicides. Soil erosion in falcataria plantations can be a problem, and it is not a recommended species for steep hillsides (NAS 1983).   Dalmacio, M. V. 1987. Relationship between site factors and growth of  Albizia falcataria  (L. ) Fosb. NFTRR 5:26-28. Evensen, C. ,  et al. 1987. Alley cropping experiment no. 3502. TropsoUs Field Research Brief no. 40. Dept. of Agronomy, University of Hawaii. Moloney, R. To hasten and ensure uniform germination, soak in boiling water for 1-3 minutes or immerse in concentrated sulphuric acid for 10 minutes followed by subsequent washing and soaking in water for 18 hours. Germination rates can be as high as 80% to almost 100%. Seeds of P. falcataria are usually sown by broadcasting, pressed gently into the soil and then covered by a layer of fine sand up to 1. 5 cm thick. The soil in the seedbed must be loose and well drained; application of a surface layer of mulch is advisable, and excessive shading should be avoided. Seedlings can be transplanted when they have reached a height of 20-25 cm with a woody stem and a good fibrous root system; this stage can be reached in 2-2. 5 months. Container plants are often transplanted into the field when 4-5 months old. Seed tissue has been successfully used in the Philippines for propagation by tissue culture. Seedlings have epigeal germination. Tree Management P. falcataria grows so fast that it is sometimes called the ‘miracle tree’. It is even mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s fastest growing tree. On good sites it can attain a height of 7 m in just over a year. Trees reach a mean height of 25. 5 m and a bole diameter of 17 cm after 6 years, 32. 5 m high and 40. 5 cm diameter after 9 years, 38 m high and 54 cm diameter after 12 years, and 39 m high and 63. 5 cm diameter after 15 years. P. falcataria coppices although coppicing vigour is highly variable. It has been found that growth at 2 x 2 m spacing is significantly faster than at 1 x 1 m. If sawn timber is desired, stands can be thinned to 6 x 6 m at 6-8 years and harvested at 15 years. P. alcataria is commonly used in agroforestry systems, usually in a cutting cycle of 10-15 years, in combination with annual crops in the 1st year and grazing animals in subsequent years. When planted, it can grow on comparatively poor sites and survive without fertilizer. However, it does not thrive in poorly drained, flooded or waterlogged soils. Growth of young trees in a phosphorous-deficient soil is promoted by inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi Gigaspora margarita and Glomus fasciculatum in combination with Rhizobium. Nitrogen-fixing nodules containing leghaemoglobin are found on roots. P. alcataria plantations should be kept weed free during the 1st few years. Germplasm Management Seed storage behaviour is orthodox. There is no loss in viability during 1. 5 years in air-dry storage at 4-8 deg. C. For storage, seeds are air dried for 24 hours and then packed in polythene bags. When stored at 4-8 deg. C, the germination rate after 18 months may still be 70-90%. There are 38 000-44 000 seeds/kg. Functional uses Products Fodder: An activated tree metabolism at the beginning of the wet season synthesizes a complex polysaccharide that increases palatability for cattle of the bark. Leaves are used to feed chickens and goats. Fuel: Widely used for fuelwood and charcoal production in spite of its low density and energy value. Fibre: P. falcataria trees coppice fairly well, an advantage for pulpwood production. The wood is suitable for pulping and papermaking. It can be used to produce good-quality pulp by mechanical, semi-chemical or chemical processes. Because of its light colour, only a little bleaching is required to achieve good white paper. The neutral, semi-chemical process produces pulp with excellent strength properties. It has also been used for the manufacture of viscose rayon. Timber: The comparatively soft timber is suitable for general utility purposes, such as light construction, furniture, cabinet work, lightweight packing materials and pallets, and chopsticks. Because the wood is fairly easy to cut, P. falcataria is also suitable for wooden shoes, musical instruments, toys and novelties, forms and general turnery. P. falcataria is an important source of veneer and plywood and is very suitable for the manufacture of particleboard, wood-wool board and hardboard and has recently been used for blockboard. Tannin or dyestuff: The bark of P. falcataria has tanning properties. Services Erosion control: Pure stands give a good protective cover to prevent erosion on slopes and are recommended in the Philippines for this purpose on catchment areas sheltered from typhoons. Shade or shelter: The plant is extensively planted in Southeast Asia as a shade and nurse crop for coffee, cocoa, tea, other crops and young timber plantations. Its fast growth and good shading properties outweigh the disadvantages of its sensitivity to strong winds and its relatively short life. Reclamation: Plantations of P. alcataria have been established even on tailings left after tin mining. It is planted extensively for reforestation and afforestation of denuded and eroding land. Nitrogen fixing: Nodulates and fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Soil improver: The natural drop of leaves and small branches contributes nitrogen, organic matter and minerals to upper layers of soil. The plant’s extensive root system furt her improves soil conditions by breaking up soils to provide channels for drainage and aeration. Ornamental: Suitable as an ornamental, although its brittle branches can be a problem in windy areas. Pests and diseases Nursery seedlings are susceptible to damping-off caused by fungi of Rhizoctonia, Sclerotium, Fusarium, Pythium and Phytophthora. Sterilizing the soil before sowing and applying fungicides to soil and seeds may control the disease. The fungus Corticum salmonicolor causes a disease known as pink canker or salmon canker. Light brown lesions appear on the bark of young trees, they gradually enlarge and develop cracks, the colour turns to pale salmon or pinkish, and mycelium mats appear around the lesions. The disease may seriously damage plantations. Plantations can also suffer from other fungal diseases like red root caused by Ganoderma pseudoferrum. An anthracnose seedling disease caused by Colletotrichum species has been observed in Sumatra. In 1988 and 1989, gall rust disease caused by Uromycladium tepprianum provoked severe damage in Bukidnon Province (Mindanao, the Philippines). The government banned the transport of logs in and out of Bukidnon Province, and planting was suspended. Plantation pests in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines include stem borers such as the longicorn beetle Xystrocera festiva and the red borer Zeuzera coffea (a cossid moth).