Evaluation of Leucaena species for psyllid resistance.

Abstract

Data at six month old are reported from NFTA (Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association) Leucaena Psyllid (Heteropsylla cubana) Trial Network experiments established in 1987 in 5 countries: USA, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia. The experiments had a standardized design in which trees were managed as hedgerows for fodder production and were first cut at 50 cm height (at 6 month old) and subsequently at 3-month intervals at 75 cm height. L. pallida (K376) was most resistant to the psyllid, followed by the hybrids KX1 (L. diversifolia × L. pallida) and KX2 (L. leucocephala × L. pallida) and 2 varieties of L. diversifolia (K784 and K785). All varieties of L. leucocephala were susceptible to the psyllid. Under high psyllid infestation the most resistant varieties were also the fastest growing.