Production and In Vitro Digestibility of Leucaena leucocephala Under Different Seasons and Planting Model Systems in Kupang Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Farmers in Kupang had 3 different Leucaena leucocephala plantations with each was planted under different local planting methods as their forage resource. In this research, we evaluate the production, nutritional content and in vitro digestibility of the L. leucocephala in all of the plantations during the early and late dry season as well as during rainy season. The first plantation was planted under Amarasi model (Amarasi plantation), where the L. leucocephala were planted in array; the second plantation was planted under Mamar Kering model (Mamar Kering plantation), where the L. leucocephala were planted by the natural fauna of the plantation; and the third plantation was planted under Selobua model (Selobua plantation), where the L. leucocephala were planted intercropping with crops. The harvest was done every four months from March 2016 to April 2017 by also following local harvesting practices (all of the branches and leaves were cut at 2-3 m above ground). The observed variables include dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral-detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content, as well as the in vitro DM and OM digestibility of L. leucocephala . All of the obtained data were analyzed with nested ANOVA and followed with LSD test. The results showed that different planting model and season gave differences (P<0.01) to the DM, NDF, ADF, in vitro DM and OM digestibility. The study concluded that the Amarasi plantation had the highest production, while overall nutritional content and in vitro digestibility of L. leucocephala was better during rainy season, and the highest was found in Selobua plantation. Keywords: Amarasi, Mamar Kering, Selobua, forages, Leucaena leucocephala DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/10-2-05 Publication date: January 31 st 2020