COMPARISON OF SEEDLING CONTAINERS ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF PROSOPIS-ALBA AND LEUCAENA-LEUCOCEPHALA IN SEMI-ARID CONDITIONS

The growth and survival of Prosopis alba 0166 and Leucaena leucocephala K8 were compared under non-irrigated conditions in semi-arid south Texas [USA] using contrasting seedling container types. One was a large dibble-tube (Ray Leach Supercell) that was removed prior to transplant. The other container was a cardboard plant-band and was not removed prior to transplant. A poorly prepared seed bed was used to enhance stressful water conditions. In 1983, no rain occurred within 6 weeks of planting and 387 mm occurred in the first 9 months after planting. In 1984, the first significant rain occurred 21 days after planting and 587 mm of rain occurred within the first 9 months after planting. In the driest year (1983), Prosopis had about 25% greater survival than Leucaena and the plant-bands had 25% greater survival than the dibble-tubes for both Prosopis and Leucaena. In the wetter year, there were no significant differences in survival among the container types or between the species.