Indian siris - Albizia lebbeck
Description and Uses
Albizia lebbeck (Indian siris) is a tropical tree from South India. It is mainly grown for its conservation crops (medium shelflife), but also Other uses include; apiculture, bio-fuel, bio-mass, conservation, edible leave shoot, endo-mycorrhiza, fertilization, fodder, fuel, medicinal, mycorrhizal spread, ornamental, psychedelic and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 4 - 8 years. The first yield will be 2500 kg/ha/yr fodder but in its top season there will be a yield of 7 m3/ha/yr wood. Array. Medical uses include; Array The bark contains proteins (10% - 15%). There is no oil extracted from this tree. The tree`s wood is called lebbeck wood and has a density of 550 - 660 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is very fast, its energetic value is 5200 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; it is a very suitable species for firewood prodution. After 11 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Albizia lebbeck has a lifespan of 50 years.
Environmental limitations
The tree is 30 meters tall. It is very fast growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Albizia lebbeck has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations Glomus epigaeum,Glomus fasciculatum,Glomus fulvum,Glomus intraradices,Glomus macrocarpum,Glomus mosseae (endo-mycorrhiza high). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by bees. Albizia lebbeck is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.
Albizia lebbeck thrives in an altitude of 5 to 1800 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 2°C and optimally between 19 - 35°C. The optimal rainfall is 1750 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 500 - 2500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire intolerant.
Pests and Diseases
Ferrisia virgata,Rhesala moestalis and Root rot,Rust diseases.
Seed Propagation
Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 6 months. There are approximative 7500 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature, (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature.
