LEAF QUALITY AND YIELD OF Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) Steud UNDER DIFFERENT POPULATION DENSITY AND CUTTING INTERVAL IN COCONUT PLANTATION
Abstract: The objective of
this study was to evaluate leaf quality of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) Steud and
vegetative growth under different population density and cutting interval in
coconut plantation. Plant material of 30 cm length with diameter of 2-3 cm were
planted in the poly-bag of 15 x 25 cm size. The area were fertilized using
Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Kalium Cloride (KCl) fertilizer at 75 kg/ha
during land plough and using N
fertilizer (Urea) at 100 kg/ha applied at two months age of plant. Treatment of
population density of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) Steud at 20, 30 and 40 plants
per area of 9 m2 combined with cutting interval of 3; 6; 9 and 12 weeks were
conducted in this study. Treatments were set in factorial arrangement based on
block randomized design. Variables measured were including quality of leaf,
dried matter production rate and vegetative growth. Results showed that
nutrient content of the leaf of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) Steud dictated by
cutting interval, and vegetative performance influenced by the interaction of
population density and cutting interval. In conclusion, to sustain high dry
matter leaf production and quality of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) Steud underneath
coconut plantation management should be focused on the planting and defoliation
regimes.
Author: S. D. Anis, D. A.
Kaligis, B. Tulung, A. Aryanto
Journal Code: jppeternakangg160041
