Inclusion Of Leucaena Research Articles

Mixed Leucaena and molasses can increase the nutritional quality and rumen degradation of corn stover silage.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of Leucaena at different proportions and doses of molasses on the nutritional quality, silage fermentation characteristic, and in vitro digestibility of corn stover silage. The study was designed in a completely randomized factorial design 3*3 pattern. The first factor was the proportion addition of Leucaena, i.e., L0 (0%), L15 (15%), L30 (30%), and L45 (45%) of inclusion of Leucaena on the dry matter (DM) basis of corn stover. The second factor was the dose of inclusion of molasses, i.e., M2 (2%), M4 (4%), and M6 (6%) on the fed basis of silage. Each treatment had five replications. The variables observed included chemical composition [DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), hemicellulose, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber], silage fermentation characteristics (pH and NH3-N), DM digestibility (DMD), and OM digestibility (OMD) under in vitro conditions. The result shows that the inclusion of Leucaena in the proportion of 30%-45% is very effective in increasing and improving the chemical composition of corn stover silage, significantly suppresses the content of CF, and increases the CP content of the silage. Likewise, the inclusion of molasses at a dose of 4% also positively contributed to the quality of the resulting silage, especially its effect in suppressing the buffer capacity of proteins resulting in low pH values and NH3-N concentrations in silage. It was concluded that the inclusion of Leucaena in 30%-45% and the inclusion of molasses at a dose of 4% is very effective in increasing and improving the chemical composition, silage fermentability characteristics, and rumen degradation of corn stover silage.

Fermentation dynamics, nutritional quality, and heating capacity of mixed silages of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) and Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala)

Leucaena has been used to make mixed silages to obtain nutritional enrichment of the silages. Thus, the inclusion of Leucaena as an additive in mixed elephant grass silages can reduce fermentation losses, and increase the nutritional value and aerobic stability of the mixed silage without changing the fermentation profile. This study evaluated the fermentation profile, nutritional composition, and aerobic stability of elephant grass silages combined with different levels of Leucaena. A total of five inclusion levels of Leucaena (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% on a dry matter basis) were added to elephant grass silages. A completely randomized design was adopted, with 5 treatments and 3 repetitions, totaling 15 experimental silos that were opened after 30 days of sealing. Fermentation profile, chemical composition, and aerobic stability were analyzed. A descriptive analysis of temperature and pH peaks during aerobic stability was performed. The increase in the inclusion of Leucaena in the composition of silages reduced gas and effluent losses, neutral and acid detergent fiber, cellulose, lignin, total and fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients, and resulted in increased dry matter, ether extract, and crude protein. A quadratic effect of treatments was found for the temperature to reach the maximum pH (P=0.009). Aerobic stability remained constant after 40% Leucaena inclusion in the composition of elephant grass silages. The inclusion of Leucaena up to 80% in the composition of elephant grass silages reduces fermentation losses, promotes a nutritional increase, and increases the aerobic stability of the silages.

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit as protein supply for heifers

Objective: To estimate the percentage of Leucaena in the diet of heifers fed with Taiwan grass, in order to maximize the efficiency of the ruminal supply of microbial Nitrogen (ERSMN). Design/Methodology/Approach: Five heifers were randomly selected for each of the five treatments (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% supplementation with Leucaena), according to a 5×5 Latin square experimental design. We determined the ruminal supply of microbial nitrogen (RSMN), ERSMN, and the urea-N by measuring N and purine derivatives in urine. Subsequently, we predicted the duodenal RSMN, the rumen nitrogen balance (RNB), and the urea cost with the Large Ruminant Nutrition System (LRNS v. 1.0.33) model. Results: The inclusion of Leucaena improved (P≤0.05) the RSMN. The ERSMN estimated by purine derivatives had a quadratic response (P≤0.05) at the inclusion level of Leucaena in the diet. The RNB, the cost of urea, and the urea-N increased (P≤0.05) with a higher inclusion percentage of Leucaena. The maximum ERSMN and N balance were obtained with 20% Leucaena in the ration. Study Limitations/Implications: The expression of the nitrogen utilization potential of Leucaena for microbial protein synthesis in this study was likely restricted by the limited availability of non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC). Further studies must be conducted to determine the most affordable source of NFC to match Leucaena nitrogen utilization in the rumen. Findings/Conclusions: Leucaena could be used as an efficient protein source for heifers at a 20% inclusion in their diet.

Feeding Strategies to Increase Nitrogen Retention and Improve Rumen Fermentation and Rumen Microbial Population in Beef Steers Fed with Tropical Forages

The effect of the inclusion of Leucaena leucocephala and Tithonia diversifolia in Zebu steers receiving a diet based on improved pastures such as Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria hybrid cv Cayman on nitrogen (N) excretion, urinary volume and rumen microbial population was evaluated. To determine the dry matter intake and nutrient excretion, eight steers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design consisting of four periods and four diets. Four of them were cannulated for ruminal fluid extraction and quantification of ruminal microorganisms in three times of grazing (T0, T7 and T15). Forage intake was calculated through the external marker titanium dioxide. Diet including forages with superior protein content generated an increase in the gene copy numbers of Prevotella ruminicola and total bacteria on 15 sampling day (p < 0.001). Animals receiving diets with the dietary inclusion of Leucaena and Tithonia had daily N intakes of 228 and 113.5g N intake d−1, of which they excreted 42% and 61%, respectively. Inclusion of both protein forages increased daily urinary volume (9% and 7% d−1), with respect to the pasture-based diet. This study revealed that the inclusion of 18% Leucaena in a pasture-based diet improves the dry matter intake and N retention in Zebu steers under tropical conditions.

EFFECT OF FEEDING VARYING LEVELS OF Leucaena leucocephala AND Gliricidia sepium ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Sixteen West African Dwarf (WAD) goats of 8.3kg average weight were used for the study which was designed to evaluate the effect of feeding varying levels of leucaena and gliricidia on the growth rate, feed intake and digestibility of WAD goats. The animals were randomly allocated to four treatments. In the first treatment, the animals were fed 25% leucaena while in the second, third and fourth treatments they were fed 50%, 75% and 100% leucaena respectively complimented with gliricidia. Data were taken on feed intake, body weights and digestibility. Urine samples of individual animals were also collected to determine the toxicity level of the leucaena inclusion in diets. The data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance. The results of the study showed that feed intake, body weight gain and dry matter digestibility increased with increase in % leucaena in the diet up to 75% without any deleterious mimosine effects on the animals. Animals on treatment III had the highest growth rate of 28.57+0.06g/head/day while treatment II had the lowest 15.31+0.04g/head/day). From the study, it can be concluded that WAD goats can consume up to 75% leucaena in the diet for optimal feed intake and growth rate.

Effect of Leucaena leucocephala and corn oil on ruminal fermentation, methane production and fatty acid profile: an in vitro study

Aims This in vitro study aimed to examine the effect of proportions of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) to Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) or levels of corn oil (CO) and their interaction on ruminal fermentation, methane (CH4) production and fatty acid profile. Methods The experiment was conducted as a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement following a completely randomised design with two factors. The treatments were according to the proportion of Leucaena and Napier grass (in g/kg DM, Treatment (T)1 = 0:750 (control), T2 = 250:500, T3 = 500:250, T4 = 750:0). Three levels of CO (in mg rumen fluid, CO1 = 0, CO2 = 10, CO3 = 20 respectively) were added to each of the diet, giving a total 12 dietary treatments. Key results Replacing Napier grass with Leucaena at 500 g/kg (T3) and 750 g/kg (T4) levels increased the molar volatile fatty acid concentration, microbial protein synthesis (P < 0.001) and ammonia nitrogen concentration (P = 0.003), whereas ruminal protozoa concomitantly decreased (P < 0.05). The addition of CO at 10 mg also reduced the number of ruminal protozoa compared with the control (P < 0.001). A significant Leucaena × CO interaction was observed on the increase of ammonia nitrogen and microbial protein synthesis, and CH4 production was simultaneously suppressed (P < 0.001). There was also a significant Leucaena × CO interaction on increasing concentration of C18:1 cis-9, C18:2 cis-10 cis-12 and α-linolenic acid, which thus contributed to the increase of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids accumulation in the culture (P < 0.001). However, the concentration of C18:0 was not influenced by the treatments (P > 0.05). Conclusion This study demonstrated that the inclusion of Leucaena into a Napier grass-based diet at 500 g/kg and 750 g/kg DM positively affected rumen fermentation, reduced CH4 formation and increased beneficial fatty acids in the rumen. Although CO had similar positive effects on CH4 production and targeted beneficial fatty acids, it reduced the microbial protein synthesis at inclusion of 20 mg/mL DM. Overall, there were synergistic interactions between Leucaena and CO in reducing CH4 production and improving the fatty acid profile in the rumen. Implications It is possible to improve animal productivity while reducing the environmental impact of livestock production through inclusion of tannin-containing Leucaena and CO in ruminant diets in tropical regions where C4 grasses typically have low nutritive value.

Nutritional Quality, Voluntary Intake and Enteric Methane Emissions of Diets Based on Novel Cayman Grass and Its Associations With Two Leucaena Shrub Legumes.

Methane (CH4) emissions from enteric fermentation in cattle are an important source of greenhouse gases, accounting for about 40% of all agricultural emissions. Diet quality plays a fundamental role in determining the magnitude of CH4 emissions. Specifically, the inclusion of feeds with high digestibility and nutritional value have been reported to be a viable option for reducing CH4 emissions and, simultaneously, increase animal productivity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the nutritional composition and voluntary intake of diets based on tropical forages upon CH4 emissions from zebu steers. Five treatments (diets) were evaluated: Cay1: Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman (harvested after 65 days of regrowth: low quality); Cay2: cv. Cayman harvested after 45 days of regrowth; CayLl: cv. Cayman + Leucaena leucocephala; CayLd: cv. Cayman + Leucaena diversifolia; Hay: Dichantium aristatum hay as a comparator of common naturalized pasture. For each diet representing different levels of intensification (naturalized pasture, improved pasture, and silvopastoral systems), CH4 emissions were measured using the polytunnel technique with four zebu steers housed in individual chambers. The CH4 accumulated was monitored using an infrared multigas analyzer, and the voluntary forage intake of each animal was calculated. Dry matter intake (DMI, % of body weight) ranged between 0.77 and 2.94 among diets offered. Emissions of CH4 per kg of DMI were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in Cay1 (60.4 g), compared to other treatments. Diets that included Leucaena forage legumes had generally higher crude protein contents and higher DMI. Cay1 and Hay which had low protein content and digestibility had a higher CH4 emission intensity (per unit live weight gain) compared to Cay2, CayLl and CayLd. Our results suggest that grass consumed after a regrowth period of 45 days results in lower CH4 emissions intensities compared to those observed following a regrowth period of 65 days. Diets with Leucaena inclusion showed advantages in nutrient intake that are reflected in greater live weight gains of cattle. Consequently, the intensity of the emissions generated in the legume-based systems were lower suggesting that they are a good option for achieving the emission reduction goals of sustainable tropical cattle production.

Nutritional composition of 'Ponta Negra' forage sorghum silage enriched with dried Leucaena leucocephala forage

he aim of this study was to evaluate fermentation and chemical characteristics and the in situ degradability of sorghum silages enriched with dried Leucaena. The experiment was conducted as completely randomized design with four treatments (0 - control silage, silage without leucaena; 10.0, 20.0, or 30.0% inclusion of Leucaena) and five replicates, totaling 20 experimental units. The inclusion levels of leucaena influenced (P 0.05), with all silages having values above 90%. Gas loss decreased (P &lt; 0.05) as the level of leucine increased in sorghum silage. A linear increase was observed for dry matter (P ? 0.0001) and crude protein (P = 0.0008) contents in response to Leucaena inclusion. There was a linear (P &lt; 0.05) linear effect on neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose and acid detergent fiber. As leucaena inclusion levels increased, for each 1% inclusion a reduction of 0.179 was observed; 0.059 and 0.119% for the values of neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose and acid detergent fiber respectively. The inclusion of leucaena influenced (P &lt; 0.05) the increase of silage lignin levels, probably due to the higher lignin content of the legume. The soluble fraction (a) of the silages increased along with the Leucaena inclusion levels, with highest values observed at the inclusion of 20 and 30% of the legume, respectively. Potential degradation (A) increased linearly with the levels of Leucaena added to the silage; the highest value for this variable was observed at 30% inclusion. Effective degradability (ED) increased up to the inclusion level of 20% (46.77%). Degradation rate (c) decreased markedly with the use of 30% Leucaena. The use of the forage part of Leucaena dried for three hours leads to reduced gas production, increased dry matter and crude protein contents, and decreased fiber contents. The degradability of dry matter increases up to the inclusion level of 20%.

Leucaena leucocephala (LAM.) DE WIT ESPECIE CLAVE PARA UNA PRODUCCIÓN BOVINA SOSTENIBLE EN EL TRÓPICO

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Leucaena leucocephala&lt;/em&gt; (Lam.) de Wit (Leucaena) is a woody fodder legume with extensive use as livestock feed in the tropics becasuse of its adaptation and productivity in tropical environments. This review discusses benefits of Leucaena as feed for bovines in realtion to tropical grasses, among these benefits are: lower methane (CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) emission; higher intake of protein, Ω&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; fatty acids and minerals; incorporation of atmospheric nitrogen (N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;) to the soil-plant-animal chain; and, higher N efficiency by the bovine. Mimosine and concentration of condensed tannins above 5% might cause digestive disorders in bovines, then Leucaena intake has to be controlled and use of Leucaena populations with lower mimosine and condensed tannins concentrations. Silvopastoral systems are an option to have Leucaena available for grazing cattle, row tree planting has shown higher animal production than scattered trees and cluster. Silvopastoral system with Leucaena can increase total available forage by 8.7 t of DM ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, this additional forage can have 22 to 25% and 55 to 61% crude protein and &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; dry matter digestibility, respectively. Planned incorporation of Leucaena to the grazing areas has shown to yield 9.1 to 9.8 kg of milk cow&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; day&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; or 11957 to 14403 kg milk ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;; and, 693 to 851 g of live-weight gain animal&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; day&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; or 788 to 1337 kg of live-weight ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;. Leucaena inclusion on grazing areas improves livestock productivity in tropical areas with lower environmental impact than tropical grasses alone; however, more reaserch is needed to overcome some Leucaena agronomic and nutritional limitations.&lt;/p&gt;

Quality of sorghum silage with leucaena

This study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of leucaena forage in sorghum: forage. In addition to pure sorghum, it was evaluated different levels of inclusion of leucaena (15, 30 and 50%) at the time of ensiling. Forage was ensiled in PVC tubes (100 mm diameter, 500 mm length) under the density of 500 – 600 kg m-3, a total of 20 silos were prepared, which were opened 35 days after ensiling. There was no effect (p &gt; 0.05) of leucaena inclusion levels for pH, water activity (Aw) and total ammonia nitrogen (total NH3-N). There was an increasing linear effect (p &lt; 0.05) for the content of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and lignin that increased from 33.47 to 34.75%, 7.82 to 16.05% and from 7.29 to 9.93%, at the levels from 0 to 50% inclusion of leucaena, respectively. There was a decreasing linear effect (p &lt; 0.05) for neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFcp) and hemicellulose, which reduced from 56.65 to 48.37% and from 24.07 to 17.67% at the levels of 0 and 50% inclusion, respectively. For the ash content, there was a quadratic effect (p &lt; 0.05), with a maximum at 8.3% with 8.9% inclusion of leucaena. The inclusion of up to 50% leucaena into sorghum silage is recommended, because, in addition to maintaining the fermentation quality, it also improved nutritional quality of sorghum silage.

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and Banana Flour (Musa cavendishii) on Performance of Laying Hens

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and Banana flour (Musa cavendishii) on performance of laying hens. Fifty laying hens (3 months of age) were randomly distributed into five experimental groups, each consisting of 10 laying hens. The groups were control (10 laying hens); L6 (Leucaena, 6 g/day (10 laying hens)); L8 (Leucaena, 8.0 g/day (10 laying hens)); L10 (Leucaena, 10 g/day (10 laying hens)); and L12 (Leucaena, 12 g/day (10 laying hens)), in addition, five levels of Banana flour control (10 laying hens); 25% (10 laying hens); 50%, (10 laying hens); 75% (10 laying hens); and 100% (10 laying hens), were assessed respectively. The experimental period lasted from 4 to 8 weeks. The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences between of treatments L6, L8, L10, and L12 for body weight during the first 30 days compared with the control, whereas for weight gain, statistically significant differences were observed between the control compared with the treatments L6, L8, L10, and L12 for days 10, 20 and 30 (p<0.05). Additionally, statistically significant differences were found between different levels of Banana flour for weight gain (g) between the control with the levels 25, 50 75, 100%, respectively for days 20 and 30. In the case of feed intake (g) statistically significant differences were found during day 30 between the control and 100%, also between the control and levels 25, and 75%, respectively. From the results, it can be concluded that the inclusion of Leucaena and banana flour have effects on weight gain, body weight and feed intake of laying hens.

Effect of Leucaena leucocephala on methane production of Lucerna heifers fed a diet based on Cynodon plectostachyus

A rapid growth of the meat production industry is necessary to satisfy increased demand for this commodity, which might have negative impacts on the environment. The objective of this study was to assess enteric methane (CH4) emissions when a forage legume is introduced in the diet of animals consuming a tropical grass. Eight Lucerna heifers, 218±18kg live weight with an average age of 19±3 months were used in two experiments following a changeover design. The diets evaluated were 100% star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus, S) or 76% star grass plus 24% leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala, S+L). Throughout the experiment, animals were housed in two chambers, in which the diet was offered four times daily. Each chamber had a small wind tunnel, which housed a fan set to a constant speed of extraction. Air samples were obtained every hour during 24h both inside and outside (ambient) the tunnel. Methane concentration in these samples was determined by gas chromatography. Temperature and relative humidity both inside and outside the tunnel were recorded using a thermo-hygrometer. The S+L diet had greater protein content whereas the S diet had greater content of neutral detergent fiber. Average intake (kg/d) of fresh forage and dry matter (DM) was significantly greater (23.7 and 5.6) for the S+L than for the S diet (18.9 and 4.7), respectively (P<0.05). The maximum recorded temperature and humidity inside the chamber was 35.5°C and 99%, respectively, but the minimum values were 19.1°C and 38%, respectively. Methane production (L/kg DMI) was 37.7 for the S+L treatment and 43. 6 for the S treatment. The energy loss in the form of methane emitted was 8.0% for S+L and 9.4% for the star grass based diet (P=0.32). These results suggest that while increasing animal productivity by increasing dry matter intake, the inclusion of leucaena does not increase methane emission per animal, thus significantly decreasing methane emissions per kg of meat or milk produced.

Estudio de la cinética fermentativa in vitro de mezclas de forrajes que incluyen Leucaena leucocephala proveniente de sistemas silvopastoriles intensivos (SSPi) en Colombia

A study of the in vitro fermentation dynamics of the forages star grass ( Cynodon plectostachyus ; E), Guinea grass ( Megathyrsus maximus; G) and Leucaena leucocephala (L), available in intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) was carried out. Samples of these forages were harvested in ISS set in tropical dry forest in the Valle del Cauca, Colombia. With these forages, ten mixes or different treatments were generated: E100, G100, L100, E33G66, E66G33, L33E66, L66E33, L33G66, L66G33 and L33E33G33. The shorter lag phase was observed with L100 (7.02 h) and E33G66 (7.11 h), lower (α= 0.05) than that of L33E66 (10.22 h) and G100 (9.85 h). The maximum production of gas (a) ranged between 97.34 and 253 ml/ g substrate for L100 and G100, respectively. The lowest HIP value was obtained with L100 (23.3 hours) and the gas accumulated to that point was 35.08 ml, which coincides with the lower value. The treatments that most accumulated gas were the grasses alone or their mixtures and those with the least accumulated gas included leucaena. Regarding FP, after 24 hours of incubation, the greater values occurred with L100 and mixtures that included leucaena. It is concluded that the inclusion of Leucaena was associated with decreases in the lag phase time and maximum gas production rates and with high values of FP, characteristics that may be associated with more efficient fermentation processes.

Rumen function in vivo and in vitro in sheep fed Leucaena leucocephala.

The effect of Leucaena leucocephala inclusion in sheep diets upon rumen function was evaluated. Nine Pelibuey sheep, 32.6 ± 5.33kg live weight (LW), fitted with rumen cannula were used. A complete randomized block design was employed. Two experimental periods of 60days each, with 60-day intervals between them, were used. Experimental treatments were as follows (n = 6): T1 (control), 100% Pennisetum purpureum grass; T2, 20% L. leucocephala + 80% P. purpureum; T3, 40% L. leucocephala + 60% P. purpureum. In situ rumen neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) and crude protein (CP) degradation, dry matter intake (DMI), volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, estimated methane (CH4) yield, rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3), and protozoa counts were measured. The aNDF in situ rumen degradation of P. purpureum and leucaena was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3. Leucaena CP degradation was higher in T2 and T3 but for P. purpureum it was only significantly higher in T3. Leucaena aNDF and CP degradation rate (c) was 50% higher (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3, but only higher in T3 for P. purpureum. Voluntary intake and rumen (N-NH3) was higher in T2 and T3 (P = 0.0001, P = 0.005, respectively). Molar VFA proportions were similar for all treatments (P > 0.05). Protozoa counts and in vitro gas production (48h) were lower in T2 and T3 (P < 0.05, P < 0.0001). Estimated methane yield (mol CH4/day) was higher in sheep fed leucaena (P < 0.0001). However, CH4 yield relative to animal performance (mol CH4/g LW gain) was lower in T2 and T3 (P < 0.0001). In summary, these results indicate that including L. leucocephala in sheep diets did not modify rumen fermentation pattern (same VFA ratios) nor reduce the amount of CH4 per unit of DMI (mol CH4/g DMI). However, leucaena inclusion does increase rumen N-NH3, aNDF and CP digestibility, and voluntary intake.

Effect of Choline Chloride Supplementation on Broiler Chicks Fed Leucaena leucocephala Seeds

This experiment was carried out to assess the effect of feeding leucaena seeds supplemented with choline on broiler chicks' performance. Two levels of choline chloride (0, 0.1%) were added to three levels of leucaena seeds (0, 6 and 12%) and incorporated in broiler starter and finisher diets. All performance parameters were depressed with the inclusion of leucaena seed diets. PCV% of birds fed any level of leucaena seed diets was not significantly different compared to control. Plasma GOT, ALP, Na, Pi, K and globulin were not affected by the dietary treatments. Plasma cholesterol of birds fed leucaena seed diets was significantly lower than that of control. Leg score of birds fed leucaena seed diets was significantly (p<0.05) poorer compared to the control except for birds fed 6% choline supplemented leucaena seeds.

A mixture simplex design to study associative effects with an in vitro gas production technique

A mixture simplex design (special cubic version of Scheffé’s canonical polynomial) was used to investigate associative effects of feed mixtures incubated using an in vitro gas production technique. The model included the principal effects (single feeds), double and multiple interaction (mixtures of two and three feeds). Two forage trees ( Leucaena leucocephala and Lysiloma latisiliquum) were evaluated in two separate incubation batches. Commercial concentrate feed, grass hay and a fodder tree were used to prepare the mixtures in all possible combinations resulting from 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 of grass, concentrate and one forage tree per batch. Pressure and gas volumes were monitored up to 168 h. After incubation the residues were used to measure DM and OM digestibility (in vitro dry matter (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter (IVOMD)). Cumulative gas production (CGP (ml)) profiles were fitted to the equation CGP= a+ b(1−e − kt ). A significant associative response in total gas production ( P<0.01) was found when the forage trees were mixed with the concentrate but not with the grass. Grass and concentrate mixtures increased gas production but the interaction was significant only in the L. latisiliquum batch ( P<0.05). IVDMD and IVOMD were reduced by the inclusion of leucaena in the mixture ( P<0.01). Rate of gas production, k (% h −1) was significantly depressed when L. latisiliquum was a component of the mixture ( P<0.01) but not in all remaining mixtures, including those that contained leucaena. It was concluded that mixture simplex designs are useful tools to identify and study in vitro associative effects of feed mixtures.

Leucaena leucocephala as feed for rabbits and pigs: detailed chemical composition and effect of level of inclusion on performance

Data on chemical composition of Leucaena leucocephala are presented. The nitrogen, sugar, starch and neutral detergent fibre contents were 32.4, 42.8, 8.6 and 201.8 g kg −1 dry matter. Gross energy was 20.24 MJ/kg DM. Tannin content was 2.9% while total trypsin concentration is also presented. In Experiment 1 the effect of different levels of inclusion of leucaena in rabbit broiler mash on performance of rabbits was studied. Treatment A was 100% broiler mash while Treatments B and C were composed of 15% and 30% leucaena meal, the other portions being broiler mash. Growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion ratio and dressing percentage were not affected by level of inclusion. Experiment 2 with 40 female rabbits comprised five treatments: Treatment A was rabbit broiler mash while Treatments B, C, D and E were made up of 40% of either Leuneae cornuta, Leucaena leucocephala or Commelina benghalensis or equal proportions of the three species respectively, the other portions being broiler mash. Animals on Treatment A had relatively higher liveweights and dressing percentages but were not significantly different from those of Treatments B, C and E ( P>0.05). Rabbits on Treatment D had significantly ( P<0.05) lower growth rate and dressing percentage. In Experiment 3, 12 growing-finishing pigs were allocated to three treatments: A, B and C. The three treatments contained 0, 10 and 20% leucaena leaf meal respectively, substituted at the expence of the standard commercial feed. Growth rates of 654, 512 and 410 g per day and feed conversion ratios of 3.97, 5.02 and 6.22 g feed g −1 gain were obtained for pigs on Treatments A, B and C respectively.

Digestion by sheep of silages prepared from mixtures of tropical grasses and legumes

SUMMARYFour silage diets were prepared from tropical grass and legume mixtures and fed to intestinally fistulated sheep to determine the sites and extent of digestion of the different silage components in the digestive tract. Pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) was ensiled either alone or with the addition, 33% (w/w), of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham), gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) or cowpea (Vigna unguiculata cv. Caloona). All forages were grown at the University of Queensland farm in 1985. All silages were well preserved as indicated by low pH (&lt; 4·1), ammonia N (&lt; 9% total N), acetic acid (&lt; 13 g/kg dry matter (DM)) and ethanol (&lt; 19 g/kg DM) contents, and high DM (&gt; 290 g/kg) and lactic acid (&gt; 41 g/kg DM) contents. The inclusion of leucaena and gliricidia significantly increased the total N content of the silages. The addition of legumes at ensiling significantly increased rumen ammonia N (pangola 59 mg N/l, legume diets 110–115 mg N/l) and the proportion of propionic acid in rumen fluid. Sheep given pangola + leucaena silages had significantly higher DM intakes (66·3 g/kg W0·75 per day) than sheep given pangola and pangola + cowpea silages (52·4 and 53·2 g/kg W0·75 per day respectively). The inclusion of gliricidia significantly depressed silage intake (43·1 g/kg W0·75 per day). There were no significant effects of diet on DM (551–609 g/kg) and organic matter (550–612 g/rkg) digestibility. Sheep given pangola + leucaena silages had higher N intakes, N balances, rates and efficiencies of microbial N synthesis and total non-ammonia N (NAN) flows to the small intestine than did sheep given the other silages. Apparent degradabilities of silage N in the rumen were similar for all diets (0·491–0·559 g N/kg N intake), but sheep given pangola + leucaena silages had lower true (corrected for endogenous N) N degradabilities (0·648 g N/kg N intake) than those given the other diets (0·751–0·775 g N/kg N intake). The values obtained in this experiment were compared with those reported for temperate grass silages, and it was concluded that whilst the digestibility of tropical grass/legume silages was low, intakes and rumen fermentation characteristics were similar to those found for temperate grass silages.

Effects of Sex and Level of Leucaena Inclusion in Broiler Mash on Growth, Feed Utilization and Slaughter Characteristics of Rabbits

Effects of Sex and Level of Leucaena Inclusion in Broiler Mash on Growth, Feed Utilization and Slaughter Characteristics of Rabbits

Intensive fattening of beef cattle by stall feeding on the Lilongwe Plain, Malawi. II. Utilisation of crop residues, crop by-products and leucaena.

Experiments were conducted over three dry seasons to investigate the value for fattening beef cattle, of crop residues (maize stover, groundnut haulm) and madeya (maize bran) with varying levels of dried leucaena leaf or cottonseed cake. The inclusion of groundnut haulm in the roughage increased animal performance when madeya was restricted. Increasing the protein content of the madeya supplement but restricting the quantity of madeya fed did not influence liveweight gain although the efficiency of concentrate conversion was enhanced. Restricting the amount of maize stover and feeding madeya to appetite had no significant effect on liveweight gain, but the inclusion of leucaena up to a level of 12 per cent crude protein improved animal performance. There were no differences between cottonseed cake or leucaena when fed with madeya at the same levels of crude protein.