Publication Date
1993
Description
A feeding trial was conducted for 122 days to assess the effect of feeding Leucaena leucophala day on growth rate, utilisation of nutrients, and its toxic effects, if any, in 15 Murrah male buffalo calves about 1 year old. Calves in control group (Tl) were maintained on concentrate mixture and ad lib. wheat straw. The protein of concentrate mixture was replaced at 25% and 50% levels by leucaena protein in the rations of group T2 and T3, respectively, Leucaena hay was isonitrogenous (CP about 19%). The mimosine, tannin and 6-carotene in leucnena hay were 2.50%, 7.33 mg/g and 504.24 mg/kg, respectively. Significant differences among the treatments were not observed in dry matter intake, body-weight gain, feed gain ratio, gross and net efficiencies of ME utilisation and some urine parameters. All the experimental animals were in positive _Ca, P and N balance, The feed cost/kg gain was considerably lower in leucaena-fed groups than in control. The intake of mimosine in leucaena-fed groups (T2 and T3) was 16.16 and 32.12 gl day, respectively. Mimosine excretion in faeces and its level in blood plasma was non-detectable. However, its degraded product, 3, 4-dihydroxypyridone, was found in traces in the urine of the experimental animals. No ill effects of leucaena or mimosine were observed. Indian buffaloes seem to have rumen microflora which can metabolise mimosine.
Citation
Gupta, P C. and Akbar, M A., "Utilization of Leucaena leucophala as Fodder for Buffaloes" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 6.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session55/6
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Utilization of Leucaena leucophala as Fodder for Buffaloes
A feeding trial was conducted for 122 days to assess the effect of feeding Leucaena leucophala day on growth rate, utilisation of nutrients, and its toxic effects, if any, in 15 Murrah male buffalo calves about 1 year old. Calves in control group (Tl) were maintained on concentrate mixture and ad lib. wheat straw. The protein of concentrate mixture was replaced at 25% and 50% levels by leucaena protein in the rations of group T2 and T3, respectively, Leucaena hay was isonitrogenous (CP about 19%). The mimosine, tannin and 6-carotene in leucnena hay were 2.50%, 7.33 mg/g and 504.24 mg/kg, respectively. Significant differences among the treatments were not observed in dry matter intake, body-weight gain, feed gain ratio, gross and net efficiencies of ME utilisation and some urine parameters. All the experimental animals were in positive _Ca, P and N balance, The feed cost/kg gain was considerably lower in leucaena-fed groups than in control. The intake of mimosine in leucaena-fed groups (T2 and T3) was 16.16 and 32.12 gl day, respectively. Mimosine excretion in faeces and its level in blood plasma was non-detectable. However, its degraded product, 3, 4-dihydroxypyridone, was found in traces in the urine of the experimental animals. No ill effects of leucaena or mimosine were observed. Indian buffaloes seem to have rumen microflora which can metabolise mimosine.
