Potential of Gliricidia-Based Agroforestry Systems for Resource-Limited Agroecosystems

Over the last decades, considerable attention has been paid to the identification and introduction of suitable tree species in agroecosystems to simultaneously address soil degradation, food insecurity and climate change impacts. Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) has many desirable characteristics as an agroforestry tree species, and its performance has been widely studied in humid and subhumid regions, but to a lesser extent in drylands and agroecosystems with severe moisture and nutrient limitations. Much of the earlier work has also focused on assessments using selected metrics of agronomic performance. In this chapter, we applied indicator-based assessments with the objectives of (1) providing an up-to-date synthesis of the potential of Gliricidia-based agroforestry practices to sustainably intensify resource-limited agroecosystems and (2) creating awareness among researchers, development agencies and policymakers on the long-term benefits of such practices. The various Gliricidia-based agroforestry practices performed well when judged against the key indicators of sustainable intensification under productivity, economic and environmental sustainability and human well-being. It is concluded that Gliricidia-based practices also meet the central requirements for agroforestry trees in resource-limited agroecosystems, i.e. that the trees (1) can acquire resources that associated crops would not otherwise get, (2) have positive effects on crops, (3) ensure more closed nutrient cycling and (4) enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients.