Performance of Provenances of Sesbania macrantha at Gairo, Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

Performance evaluation was conducted among 21 provenances of Sesbania macrantha from 9 regions of Tanzania and one region of Rwanda. The trial was established in February, 1996 at Gairo, Morogoro, Tanzania. Assessments were carried out at 6, 12 and 15 months for survival, root-collar diameter and height. Biomass production was assessed during the last assessment occasion. Significant variation among the provenances for survival, root-collar diameter, height and biomass production was observed. The Andago (Arusha) provenance achieved greatest survival (83.3%) followed by the Biharamulo (Kagera) and Kisabya (Kigoma) provenances (80.0%), while Miabeze (Mbeya) provenance had least survival of 20.0%. No significant differences were observed in mean root-collar diameter and height from the 6th to 15th month after planting. Biharamulo (Kagera) provenance was found to be outstanding in respect of total biomass production (12.2 t ha .1), followed by Chala (Rukwa) provenance (10.3 t ha^-1). Kangamo (Mbeya) provenance had the least total biomass production of 2. 3 t ha^-1. Overall, the Andago, Biharamulo, Chala, Kikomakoma, Kisabya and Banda provenances were the best performers while the Lundamoto, Miabeze, Kibondo, Kishoju, Kidiama, Wondo and Kangamo failed to put on promising growth. It is recommended that Sesbania macrantha provenances from Andago, Biharamulo and Chala be used in improved fallow/relay cropping systems in Gairo and other areas with similar environmental conditions in that order of priority.

Keywords: provenances, Sesbania macrantha, survival and growth

Tanzania J. Agric. Sc. (1999) Vol.2 No.1, 27-36