Dry Matter and Protein Degradability of Leucaena

Abstract

There are major limitations imposed on animal production in tropical areas of the world. Some of the limitations are caused by the lack of availability of protein for animal consumption. This lack of dietary protein can be attributed to lack of pasture because of adverse environmental conditions, overgrazing which can lead to erosion and thus a poorer environment, poor soil condition and nutritional status. Often, grazing of mixed pastures and the provision of cereal crop residues are the fundamentals of ruminant nutrition in most tropical countries. These dietary substrates are frequently N-deficient and also frequently very high in fibre which limits digestibility. Such a dietary regime may maintain animals at low levels of production and may prevent their death during prolonged dry periods but good productivity is precluded. The inclusion of legumes, either browse or forage, in pastures can reduce or alleviate some of the problems mentioned above and provide dietary protein. Leucaena leucocephala has been shown to be a suitable leguminous forage supplement for ruminants in arid areas of the world including Zimbabwe. It is not however without problems thus there is considerable interest in producing different cultivars.