Bio-diversity

Gliricidia sepium is a nitrogen-fixing tree, which has been introduced in the Pacific countries as an adjunct in alley cropping and as part of agro-forestry development schemes. The Gliricidia contains substances that can be used as rodenticides is well known. Its latin name in fact means`rat-killer`. What is not clear now is how Gliricidia should be used to allow a most potent rodenticide to be developed. Some reports claim the leaves should be dried and crushed and then integrated in feed that the rat will eat. Others claim that the leaves should first be steeped in water for two weeks before the rat-killing substance develops to sufficient quantities to be effective. The research that is proposed will elucidate this issue, by comparing the coumarin content of rat baits prepared from freshly dried Gliricidia leaves and from leaves that have been allowed to ferment in water for a length of time. Once the optimal bait is determined, its rodenticide effect on rat populations will be tested and research results will be wdiely disseminated to environmental workers, farmers, and the public at large

Samoa