Biomass potential of 56 accessions of leucaena as animal and biofuel feedstocks

Abstract

Biomass yield between 56 accessions of leucaena were observed at Suwanvajokkasikit Field Crops Research Station Nakhonratchasima province. Randomized block design was used with 3 replications and 56 accessions as treatments. Leucaena was harvested at 2 years of age. Plant length, wood yield, branch yield and leaf yield were collected. Averaged plant length was in range of 6.84-11.87 meters, with KU19 was highest in length. Five accessions that produced more wood yield were KU15, KU38, KU1, KU19 and KU10. Yield of these accessions were 24.07, 21.96, 16.71, 15.36 and 14.95 t/rai with ash content at 1.43, 1.04, 1.76, 3.66 and 1.34 percent, respectively, while native leucaena (KU20) had the lowest yield (0.91 t/rai). Branch yield among the accessions; KU1, KU10, KU38, KU 15 and KU19 had the greatest branch yield averaged 3.04, 2.76, 1.62, 1.42 and 1.38 t/rai, respectively. While top five in leaf yields were in KU15, KU56, KU45, KU39 and KU19 at 1.12, 1.11, 0.88, 0.87 and 0.86 t/rai, respectively.