POTENTIAL OF Gliricidia sepium AS A FUELWOOD SPECIES FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GENERATION IN SRI LANKA.

Atapattu, A A A J; Pushpakumara, D K N G; Rupasinghe, W M D; Senarathne, S H S; Raveendra, S A ST

Non-conventional renewable energy generation is a promising alternative for meeting the future electricity demand as there are hardly any potential hydro-generating sites available for exploitation in Sri Lanka. Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. can be used as a biomass energy source to fulfill the future electricity demand. It is essential to optimize fuelwood yield of Gliricidia for dendro thermal power generation. In this study, fresh weight, dry weight and calorific value of 13 Gliricidia provenances available in Sri Lanka were measured. The moisture percentage, oven dried density, ash percentage and amount of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous in both stem and leaf samples of the provenances were calculated to find out the best Gliricidia provenances for fuelwood plantations through an open field experiment at Rathmalagara Research Center. The results showed that the Gliricidia provenance, named as Gualan (OFI Indent No. 15/84), showed good fuelwood characteristics for being a fuelwood tree species. It has highest dry weight (88.2% higher than the local land race), highest oven dried density (20.3% higher than local land race) with low ash content (26% lower than local land race), low moisture content (57.9%) and good calorific value (3,750 kcal/kg). The study concluded that the provenance 15/84 was found to be the most promising Gliricidia provenance for dendro thermal power generation.

GLIRICIDIA; FUELWOOD; RENEWABLE energy sources; PLANT genetics; WOOD density

Agricultural Research Journal, 2017, Vol 54, Issue 1, p34

2395-1435

Academic Journal

10.5958/2395-146X.2017.00006.0