Effects of planting depth and sowing methods on emergence of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru) seed in a light medium clay.

Abstract

In a series of field plantings carried out over 4 years at 'Brian Pastures' Pasture Research Station, Gayndah, 5 to 6 cm was determined to be the optimum sowing depth for leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) into moist, well cultivated seed beds. When follow up rain fell, shallow sown seed also emerged in this black basalt derived soil and the optimum sowing depth was reduced to 3 cm. However, weeds also emerged after this follow up rain that suppressed leucaena growth. Leucaena sown before the end of December was better able to cope with frost in the following winter and had higher yields than leucaena sown in February.