Evaluation and implementation of nitrogen fixing species in hedgerow intercropping in Marianas

View the project final report

• 2001 annual report
• 2002 annual report

Commodities

• Additional Plants: native plants, trees

Practices

• Crop Production: windbreaks
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research
• Natural Resources/Environment: hedgerows, hedges - woody
• Pest Management: mulches - killed
• Production Systems: holistic management, permaculture
• Soil Management: green manures, organic matter
• Sustainable Communities: urban agriculture

A comparison of field performance of nitrogen fixing trees (NFTs) in Guam determined that biomass production was greatly influenced by soil types and plant species. The plants in the study included Acacia angustissuma, Cajanus cajan, Calliandra calothyrsus, Desmodium rensonii, Gliricidia sepium, Flemingia macrophylla, Leucaena leucocephala cv. K636, and Sesbania sesban cv. Nubica. Leucaena leucocephala was the most adapted NFT to calcareous soil, a dominant soil type in northern Guam. Flemingia macrophylla was adapted to acidic soil. Video and pamphlets on plant propagation and management were produced and distributed to the community in Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

(1). Develop a protocol for seed propagation methods of leguminous hedgerow plants and produce a propagation guidebook.
(2). Examine biomass production of leguminous hedgerow plants grown in different soil regimes on Guam.
(3). Examine seed production of leguminous hedgerow plants grown in different soil regimes on Guam.
(4). Examine susceptibility of leguminous hedgerow plants to arthropod, nematode, and disease problems.
(5). Produce educational publications of plant management of nitrogen fixing trees (NFTs).