Gmelina arborea: A Versatile Tree for Agroforestry and Medicine | InformativeBD

Christian Chukuka Obiazi, and Isijokelu Moses Ojeifo, from the different institute of Nigeria. wrote a Review article about, Gmelina arborea: A Versatile Tree for Agroforestry and Medicine. Entitled, The relevance of Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) in agroforestry systens and medicine. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The choice of suitable tree species is critical for optimal output in agroforestry systems. A wide range of potential uses of Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) remain largely ignored, probably because agroforestry programmes, hitherto, laid emphasis on nitrogen-fixing trees. Gmelina arborea is a fast growing multipurpose tree which generates high biomass but does not fix nitrogen. It has excellent coppicing capacity which lends it to rapid regeneration for frequent pruning. It produces an appreciable amount of foliage even at peak of dry season, thereby ensuring a yearround supply of forage and fodder for livestock, such as goats, sheep and cattle which relish the plant. Pruning from Gmelina is also useful for mulching. Favourable reports on the wood properties of Gmelina arborea indicate that it is suitable for general purpose timber, utility furniture, pulpwood and for making match sticks. The high regenerative ability of the roots and stems cuttings, aid vegetative propagation. Gmelina has a vigorous root system which enables it to effectively act as a nutrient pump for the uptake of leached nutrients from subsoil to the soil surface through leaf litter. Gmelinaarborea is tolerant to bush fire, thereby making it adaptable to the common practice of shifting cultivation which frequently involves burning of debris during land preparation. Studies are required to elucidate information on the compatibility of Gmelinaarborea in agroforestry systems.

Read more : Roadside Flora in Transition: Plant Communities Across Pine Forest Elevations | InformativeBD 

Introduction

The search for compatible multipurpose trees in agroforestry programmes in Nigeria is a continuous process. The wide range of potential uses of Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) have hitherto been largely ignored, probably because, agroforestry programmes emphasised nitrogen-fixing species. This is understandable, in view of provision of a free supply of nitrogen to the soil for crop growth by nitrogenfixing plant species, brought about by Rhizobium spp. bacteria in their roots. However, Amara et al. (1992) reported unexpectedly high nitrogen content in the leaves of gmelina. With declining forage and fodder supply for livestock, the need to highlight other nonleguminous multipurpose trees, such as,Gmelina arborea has become necessary and urgent. Gmelina arborea is a fast growing multipurpose tree. Nwoboshi (1982) stated that species like Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea owe their popularity in forestry to their capacity to establish and grow well in plantations. Gmelina generates high biomass and excellent coppicing capacity. The plant produces appreciable amount of foliage even at the peak of dry season, thereby ensuring a year-round supply of forage and fodder. Sheep, goats and other ruminants relish its succulent foliage.

In Nigeria, Gmelina arboreawas originally introduced for fuelwood and poles in plantations. A notable example is the Enugu pitwood plantation (Pringle, 1960). Gmelina arborea (Roxb.),is native to Asia. It was introduced from South-East Asia to tropical Africa and introduced to Enugu State, Nigeria in1921 (Rotowa and Adeagbo, 2019). More recently, it was planted as a shade tree in residential quarters and homes. Large areas in tropical locations of Africa, America and Asia, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Colombia, Venezuela and Malaysia have undertaken extensive planting of this fast-growing tree and most of them are intended for the production of paper-pulp (Adam and Krampah, 2005; Deepthi, et al., 2015). The objective of this study were to examine the characteristics of Gmelina arborea in line with the potential uses, asses its present role in agroforestry and medicine and suggest the way forward. Environmental requirements of Gmelina Certain conditions are necessary for proper growth and development of Gmelina arborea plant. Deepthi, et al. (2015) observed that it is not a shade tolerant plant. It grows well in locations that receive 750- 4500mm or more of rainfall per annum. It does not flourish on poorly-drained and waterlogged soils. It remains stunted on sandy or dry and infertile soils. Drought condition also reduces it to a shrubby form. Adam and Krampah (2005) also noted that deep fertile soil that is well-drained is suitable for Gmelina. When it is planted under unsuitable conditions, Gmelina grows into a little more than a shrub and often remains stunted.

Characteristics of Gmelina Agroforestry is becoming a popular component of sustainable agriculture and environmental enhancement in Nigeria. The success of such programmes will depend on availability of information on the components. Such knowledge will include the growth and utilization of agroforestry species, and probably their potentials for enhancing yield of companion crops. Effective integration of Gmelina arboreain agroforestry systems therefore requires such basic information to enable successful harnessing of its potentials.

Selection criteria for tree species include value of fruit, oil, erosion, medicines, timber, fodder and fuelwood (Myonk, et al., 2015). It should also be noted that the traits of a good agroforestry species include good coppicing and ability to promote soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

Reference

Acharya NS, Acharya SR, Kumar V, Barai P. 2015 . Anticonvulsant and Antioxidant Effects of Methanol Extract of Stems of G. arborea Roxb. Journal of Natural Remedies 15, 23-32.

Adam KA, Krampah, E. 2005. Gmelinaarborea Roxb.ex Sm. In: Louppe D, Oteng-Amoako A A, Brink M (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa/Ressources végétales de l’Afriquetropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed 11 April 2019.

Ashalatha M, Sankh K. 2015. A Morphological Review on Gmelina arborea Linn – A Wonder Ayurvedic Herb. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research 5(1), 304-308.

Basanda GM, Dhara PK,Tarafdar PK. 2017. Differential responses of arable crops with gamhar (Gmelina arborea) and mango (Mangifera indica) based agroforestry system in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal, India. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research 51(1), 86-89.

Chittendon AE, Coursey DG, Rotibi JO. 1964. Paper Making Trial with Gmelina arborea Timber in Nigeria. Tappi 47(12), 186A- 192A.

Deepthi Pathala, Harini A, Prakash L, Hegde. 2015. A Review on Gambhari (Gmelina arborea Roxb.). Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 4(2), 127-132. Available on line at www. phytojournal.com

Hughes JF, Esan D. 1969. Variation in some structural features and properties of Gmelina arborea. Tropical Science 11(1).

Kayode RMO, Olakulehin TF, Adedeji BS,, Ahmed O, Aliyu TH, Badmos AHA. 2015. Evaluation of amino acid and fatty acid profiles of commercially cultivated oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) grown on Gmelina wood waste. Nigerian Food Journal Volume 33(1), 18-21.

Myonk JH, Hyok HO, Jianchu XU. 2015. Participatory selection of tree species for agroforestry on sloping land in North Korea. Mountain Research and Development 35(4), 318-327.

Nwoboshi LC. 1982. Tropical Silvicultural Principles and Techniques. Ibadan University Press, Ibadan p. 144.

Ojeniyi SO, Agbede OO, Fegbero JA. 1980. ‘Effects of Agri-Silvicuture on Soil Chemical Properties’ Soil Science 130(2), 76-77.

Ota HO, Aja D, Okolo CC, Obianuju C, Nwite JN. 2019. Influence of tree plantation Gmelinaarborea and Gliricidia sepium on soil physic-chemical properties in Abakaliki, Southeast, Nigeria. ActaChemica Iasi 2(2), 22-28.

Perez JM, Davey B, Benites JR. 1987. Nutritional Requirements of Gmeliaarborea”. Tropical Technical Report. North Carolina State University, Raliegn pp. 76-77.

Perez JM, Davey B, McCullum RE. 1987. Intercropping, cropping and nutritional requirement”. In: Tropsoil Technical Report. (Eds) Candle, N. and C. McCantsTropsoils. North Carolina State University, Raliegn.

Pringle AN. 1960. The Enugu Pitwood Plantations, Nigeria Emp. For. Rev 29(3), 238-243.

Rotowa OJ, Adeagbo AA. 2019. Provenance trial of Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) in iddle-belt zone of Nigeria. Research Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences 7 (3), 27-31. Retrieved 21st Feb., 2020 from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334707542_Provenances

Sanchez PA. 1992. Soils in the Humid Trpics: Their Properties and Management. In: Sudlow (Ed.) Studies on Third World Societies. College of William and Mary, Dept. of Anthropology, Public No. 4.

Thornton PK. 2010. Livestock production: recent trends, future prospects. (Philosophical Transactions B) Philos Trans R SocLond B Biol Sci. 2010 Sep 27 365(1554), 2853–2867.

Article source : The relevance of Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) in agroforestry systens and medicine