Productivity and nutritive value of leucaena leucocephala for ruminant nutrition - Review -

Islam, M.; Nahar, T. N.; Islam, M. R.

doi:1995.8.3.213

Review paper

Review Paper

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 1995;8(3): 213-217.
https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.1995.213 Published online June 1, 1995.

Productivity and nutritive value of leucaena leucocephala for ruminant nutrition - Review -

M. Islam, T. N. Nahar, M. R. Islam

Abstract

Leucaena Leucocephala(lam. De Wit) is a multipurpose leguminous tree/shrub, promoted extensively for reforestation and rural development programmes, as well as in ruminant production. After a year of establishment in the plots, theoverall leaves and twigs yield was on average 0.92 kg/plant, containing an average 23.34, 10.61, 5.32 and 10.13 per cent CP, CF, EE and ash, respectively. The proximate and mineral compositions are affected by factors such as stage of maturity, type of cultivar, seasons, cutting intervals, different plant parts. Though leucaena contains toxic momosine and tannins, these are not always deleterious for ruminants and rumen microbes can often degrade toxic factors into a non-toxic utilizable product. Mimosine content is generally higher in the seed than other plant parts. Leucaena supplementation in ruminant ration showed higher digestibility co-dfficient of proximate component, which may results in higher productivity. Considering its productivity, composition and nutritive value. L. leucocephala could be more widely used as a protein source for ruminants in tropical and sub-tropical countries.

Keywords: Leucaena leucocephala; Yield; Nutritive Value; Antinutrients