Pacific Southwest

Title: Mixed plantations of Eucalyptus and leguminous trees enhance biomass production

Author: DeBell, Dean S.; Whitesell, Craig D.; Schubert, Thomas H.

Date: 1985

Source: Res. Paper PSW-RP-175. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 6 p

Station ID: RP-PSW-175

Description: Two Eucalyptus species-E. saligna Sm. and E. grandis Hill-are especially favored in Hawaii forwood, fiber, and fuel production because of their quick growth and high yields. Their growth is limited, however, on many sites by low levels of available nitrogen. Supplemental nitrogen can be provided by nitrogen-fixing plants, such as legumes. A test was conducted to determine whether planting two leguminous species-Acacia melaxylon R. Br. and Albizia facataria (L.) Fosberg-could increase biomass production. Results after 65 months suggest that Eucalyptus growth can be increased substantially by planting the species in mixture with leguminous trees. Total biomass production was much greater in the mixed species plantations than in the pure Eucalyptus plantation.

Keywords: Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus grandis, Acacia melanoxylon, Albizia facataria, legumes, species trials, plantations, Hawaii

View and Print this Publication (567 KB)

Publication Notes: 

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
• You may send email to pubrequest@fs.f ed.us to request a hard copy of this publication. (Please specify exactly which publication you are requesting and your mailing address.)

 Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility

Citation

DeBell, Dean S.; Whitesell, Craig D.; Schubert, Thomas H.   1985.  Mixed plantations of Eucalyptus and leguminous trees enhance biomass production.   Res. Paper PSW-RP-175. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 6 p.