Publication Date
1989
Location
Nice France
Description
Leucaena leucocephala (L.) is a perennial schrub native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, considered by investigators as a valuable forage legume because of its capacity for high production of digestible forage with a high protein content and tolerance to drought in semiarid regions with annual rainfall less than 1,000 mm (Skerman, 1977). The soil fertility of the semiarid region in southern Puerto Rico is adequate, but rainfall distribution is limiting for forage production and nutritive value. There is a demand for a suitable and inexpensive source of high quality forage to improve the diet of the grazing cattle and to stimulate the development of the livesetock industry in the region. Therefore, research to investigate the potential use of perennial tropical legumes adapted to these environmental conditions and capable of sustaining a high quality forage production throughout the year is highly recommended. The objectives of the present investigation are to evaluate the forage production and nutritive value of Leucaena (L. leucocephala) in the semiarid region of southern Puerto Rico.
Citation
Tergas, L E.; Milton Martinez, R; and Mendez Cruz, A V., "Forage Production and Nutritive Value of Leucanea leucoephala in Southern Puerto Rico" (1989). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 91.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session7/91)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Forage Production and Nutritive Value of Leucanea leucoephala in Southern Puerto Rico
Nice France
Leucaena leucocephala (L.) is a perennial schrub native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, considered by investigators as a valuable forage legume because of its capacity for high production of digestible forage with a high protein content and tolerance to drought in semiarid regions with annual rainfall less than 1,000 mm (Skerman, 1977). The soil fertility of the semiarid region in southern Puerto Rico is adequate, but rainfall distribution is limiting for forage production and nutritive value. There is a demand for a suitable and inexpensive source of high quality forage to improve the diet of the grazing cattle and to stimulate the development of the livesetock industry in the region. Therefore, research to investigate the potential use of perennial tropical legumes adapted to these environmental conditions and capable of sustaining a high quality forage production throughout the year is highly recommended. The objectives of the present investigation are to evaluate the forage production and nutritive value of Leucaena (L. leucocephala) in the semiarid region of southern Puerto Rico.
