Abstract
Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Since its introduction to India in 1976 Leucaena leucocephala ssp. glabrata has spread rapidly, especially in the last couple of decades, mainly due to its use as either firewood or pulpwood. Use of its foliage for feeding livestock has been mainly a by-product of this activity. The foliage is highly nutritious because it has high protein concentration and good palatability, and the tree can withstand repeated defoliation. Research carried out by Indian scientists on leucaena has focused on mainly agronomic management, agroforestry studies of mixed cropping systems, mimosine toxicity, germplasm testing and economic evaluation. Feeding leucaena has had a positive impact on the dairy industry in particular. It is rarely purchased for fodder and is usually poached by smallholders from existing plantations, most of which are established by animal rearers for their own purposes. More widespread use of leucaena for fodder could be achieved in India by introducing varieties with either reduced seed production or sterile ones, which can be easily propagated vegetatively. In addition, psyllid resistance, suitable mechanized harvesting methods and training livestock owners in proper management of leucaena trees should help in making this high quality fodder more popular in India.
Highlights
Leucaena leucocephala ssp. leucocephala is supposed to have been introduced intoIndia from Mexico more than a century ago as a fastgrowing species for afforestation
*Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Small tractormounted or stand-alone harvesting machines, if available, should lead to more widespread use of this highly palatable, high-protein feed in India
Summary
Leucaena leucocephala ssp. leucocephala (shrubby ‘common’ type) is supposed to have been introduced intoIndia from Mexico more than a century ago as a fastgrowing species for afforestation. Desde su introducción a la India en 1976, Leucaena leucocephala ssp. Glabrata se ha dispersado rápidamente, especialmente en las últimas dos décadas, sobre todo debido a su uso como leña o pulpa para papel. El uso de su follaje para la alimentación de ganado ha sido más bien un subproducto de esta actividad.
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