Gliricidia (sepium)

Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net

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Family Scientific Name:	Fabaceae
Family Common Name:	Legume
Scientific Name:	Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp.
Common Name:	Gliricidia, mother of cocoa, madre de cacao, quick stick, Mexican lilac
Ecotype:	Native to lowland dry forests from 0-1,200 m elevation. Native to areas with a distinct dry season, but can grow in wetter climates with no pronounced dry season. Found in forest vegetation but also on coastal sand dunes, riverbanks, and floodplains.
General Distribution:	Native to Mexico and Central America, an aboriginal introduction naturalized in West Indies and Puerto Rico. Also naturalized in Hawaii, West Africa, Asia and Australia.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Seedlings have reached target when approximately 15-20 cm in height, stem diameter 6-8 mm, with well-formed root systems that are not root-bound but that fill out the container.
Propagule Collection:	Gliricidia is highly variable in terms of form and productivity, and for this reason superior provenances such as Retalhuleu should be sought out for propagation. Time of flowering and seeding varies depending on climate, elevation, and duration of dry season. Usually flowers in the dry season (Nov-March in Kona, Hawaii, January-March in Mexico, Dec-May in Puerto Rico). Time between flowering and pod ripening can be very short, 5-7 weeks in some areas. The seed pods as they dry release their seeds explosively, spreading them up to 25 m away from the tree. For this reason, seed collectors must observe flowering trees carefully and collect seed pods from the tree when they are ripe, but before they dehisce. Seed pods are 10-15 cm long and 12-15 mm wide. Each contains about 3-8 seeds. Pods are collected when brown and ripe, but before they are dry enough to curl and release their seeds.
Propagule Processing:	Ripe pods are spread out in the sun on plastic tarps or a concrete slab. The drying area is then covered with a fine screen to prevent the seeds from exploding pods from escaping the collection area. As they dry in the sun, pods curl and explode, making a sound similar to popcorn popping. Then, by hand or with a thresher, seeds are separated from the seed pod shells. Seeds may then be dried further if necessary. There are about 4,500-8,000 seeds per kilo. If free from infesting insects, seeds can be stored in cool, dark conditions in a sealed container for over a year.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	No scarification is necessary, although soaking seeds overnight in cool water will cause them to swell and hasten germination. For fresh seed collections free from insect infestations, germination is usually high, over 90%. Seeds can then be pregerminated on paper towels or direct sown into containers. Germination takes 3-15 days.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Seedlings are grown in full sun in an uncovered growing area. Containers used are Ray Leach Super "Stubby" Cells 14 cm deep and 3.8 cm diameter (available from Stuewe & Sons). A well-drained potting media such as 50% Sunshine peat moss, 25% perlite, 25% vermiculite, amended with a little compost, dolomite lime, gypsum, micronutrients, P and K is used. Potting media should also be inoculated with VAM (mycorrhizal fungi), available from commercial suppliers and garden centers. At planting time or within 2 weeks of planting, rhizobia inoculant should also be applied (see below).
Establishment Phase:	Pregerminated seeds are placed in containers filled with premoistened potting media and covered with about 5mm of potting media and a thin layer of mulch (such as #2 poultry grit). Water with a fine-headed sprayer to keep moist. Full sun is best. Daily water is usually necessary, by hand or with an automated system. At seedling time or within 2 weeks of germination, seedlings may be inoculated with rhizobia bacteria (a nitrogen-fixing bacteria), either manufactured or made from nodules, for good nodulation and growth.
Length of Establishment Phase:	2 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	Seedlings can be grown in full sun. After about ten weeks, seedlings are double-spaced to allow maximum penetration of sunlight and air circulation. If seedlings were inoculated with rhizobia bacteria, no additional fertilization will be necessary. If inoculation was unsuccessful, amending with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. If any weeds enter the soil-free media, they should be removed. Insect problems are usually minimal, although an occasional infestation of aphids or scale may be treated with Safer Soap or similar product.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	3 months
Hardening Phase:	Growers should continue to ensure that seedlings receive full sun. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress.
Length of Hardening Phase:	2 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	When seedlings have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. They are not extracted from their container or stored before shipping. Keeping seedlings in their container is necessary to protect the roots. Containers may be stood up in cardboard boxes, or delivered in trays. Seedlings must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport, but refrigeration is not recommended. Empty containers and trays may be returned after the planting is complete.
References:	FACT-Net Staff. 1998. Gliricidia sepium-the quintessential agroforestry species. NFT Highlights. Winrock International, Morrilton, AR. Glover, N. 1986. Gliricidia-Its Names Tell Its Story. NFT Highlights. Winrock International, Morrilton, AR. Parrota, J.A. 1992. Gliricidia sepium. Institute of Tropical Forestry, Rio Piedras, PR. Simons, A.J. and A.J. Dunsdon. 1992. Evaluation of the Potential for Genetic Improvement of Gliricidia Sepium. ODA Forestry Research Project R4525, Oxford Forestry Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K. Steward, J.L., G.E. Allison and A.J. Simons. 1996. Gliricidia sepium: Genetic resources for farmers. Oxford Forestry Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K.

Citation:

Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/03). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.