Fifteen provenances of Gliricidia sepium from Central and South Americ
a were planted at Msekera near Chipata in Eastern Zambia. The trial wa
s evaluated at 27 and 39 months after planting for survival, height, d
iameter growth and above ground biomass production. At 27 months, the
provenances showed good survival and mean height ranged from 2.8 to 4.
5 m for provenances Playa Tamarindo (Costa Rica) and Retalhuleu (Guate
mala) respectively. Above ground biomass showed a lot of variation bet
ween provenances with the production ranging from 8 to 32 t ha-1 for p
rovenances Palmasola (Mexico) and Retalhuleu (Guatemala) respectively.
At 39 months, the variation in total above ground biomass production
was maintained with the biomass ranging from 9 to 33 t ha-1 in Pedasi
(Panama) and Pontezuelo (Columbia) respectively. At 39 months, height
growth ranged from 2.8 m to 4.9 m in provenances Pedasi (Panama) and P
ontezuela (Columbia) respectively. Above ground biomass production for
1 year coppice ranged from 3.37 to 11.76 t ha-1 for provenances Palma
sola (Mexico) and Pontezuela Bolivar (Columbia) respectively. Analysis
of leaf samples showed low variation in nitrogen content (3.01-3.99%)
for the provenances studied. The large differences in growth rates an
d biomass production of G. sepium provenances emphasize the large gene
tic variation and the importance of identifying the right seed source.
At this early stage of screening, the best performing provenances are
Pontezuela (Columbia) and Retalhuleu (Guatemala), whilst the poorest
was Palmasola (Mexico). Further evaluation is necessary on specific ut
ilization needs and resistance to pests and diseases before ultimate p
rovenances for agroforestry are chosen and/or improved for conditions
in the Miombo ecozone.