Forage yield and quality of some Leucaena cultivars in the semiarid region of Hisar

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 1986-10, Vol.16 (1), p.355-366
• Main Authors: Arora, S.K., Paroda, R.S., Joshi, U.N., Saini, M.L., Singh, J.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims; Yield, quality, earliness, varia
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-1127(86)90033-2

Eight cultivars of Leucaena were evaluated to identify the most suitable cultivar for forage yield coupled with quality. The plants were grown in three replications at a distance of 2 × 2 m in 80 m 2 plots. The plants were harvested at about 75-day intervals and cut 75 cm above the ground. Four cuttings were taken in a year and analysed for portein content, in vitro dry matter digestibility, mimosine and structural carbohydrates on a dry weight basis. Data on dry fodder yield were also recorded. Cultivars differed significantly for green and dry forage yields and digestible dry matter in all the four cuts. Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru gave maximum yield followed by cv. Hawaiian common. The mean protein content of different cultivars varied from 25.70 to 31.92%, while in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) varied from 47.30 to 59.50%. The cultivar Cunningham had the highest IVDMD percentage of 59.50% due to less lignification than other cultivars. The mimosine, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents varied from 0.70 to 1.41%, 26.35 to 36.58% and 20.26 to 22.39%, respectively. It is possible to breed a cultivar for desirable IVDMD with minimum content of mimosine and lignin. Under Hisar conditions L. leucocephala cv. peru was the best for forage yield, less lignification and better in in vitro dry matter digestibility. Results obtained during experimentation on other aspects of Leucaena are also summarised. Future lines of research are suggested.