Leucaena - Leucaena leucocephala

Description and Uses

Leucaena leucocephala (Leucaena) is a tropical shrub from Colombia & Venezuela. It is mainly grown for its conservation crops (short shelflife), but also

can be produced. The crop is harvested by hand picking. It starts flowering after 3 - 5 years. The first yield will be 100 kg N/ha/6months but in its top season there will be a yield of 300 kg N/ha/6months.

. Medical uses include;

The bark contains (54%/oil - 56%/oil). There is Leucaena oil extracted by hexane solvent extration from the shrub`s seed/nut yielding 5.1 - 10% oil. The shrub`s wood is called Leucaena wood and has a density of 790 - 810 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the shrub`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 4600 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 7 years the shrub can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Leucaena leucocephala has a lifespan of 25 years.

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Environmental limitations

The shrub is 5 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Leucaena leucocephala has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations

(endo-mycorrhiza high). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The shrub`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by itself. Leucaena leucocephala is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Leucaena leucocephala thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1800 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 2°C and optimally between 25 - 30°C. The optimal rainfall is 2150 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 650 - 3000 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind tolerant and to fire a bit tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

and

diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 2 months. There are approximative 17500 seeds/kg. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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