ABSTRACT

Study was carried out on some indigenous woody species to determine the sprouing and rooting characteristics, the rate of decomposition of leaf and soft tissues when exposed and placed directly in contact with mineral earth, also the nutrients constituents of leaves and soft tissues. The general objectives was to assess the suitability of the woody plants Millettia zechiana , Lonchocarpus cyanescens, Millettia aboensis and Maftotus oppositifolius for agroforestry and land manaaement. This was carried out at the Fedel-al University of Agriculture Umudike. Randomized complete block design as used k) 1)ku1t fourty cuttings of th species on block area of 27.5rn2and replicated three times. I'he cuttings wei non11ored for sprouting and at the end, destructive sampling was canied out to assess fresh shoot biomass and root length. Leaf litter decomposition was assessed by kccping the leaves of the species in contact with mineral earth and weights were taken at 2-weekly intervals to determine the loss in weight. Nutrient analysis was carried out for the leaves and sft tissues. Result showed that 70 cuttings sprouted in all the cuttings planted, although, only 50 cuttin survived up the end ol the experiment.  zechiana and Mallotus opposittiblius survived in the following order 24, 18 and 8 respectively 10 weeks after planting (WAP). Weight of fresh shoot biomass and mean root length followed the same trend, 37.1g. 26.lg and 5.2g; 32.7cm, 30.1cm and 2.4cm respectively Lonchocarpus and iUettia zechiana had significantly hiL!er in the growth characteristics than Mallotus and Milletthi aboenesis