Centrosema pubescens

Centro

Creeping, twining perennial herb, native to South America, with trifoliate leaves and large flowers. Very leafy, without any woody growth even when 18 months old. Adaptable to dry conditions and fairly drought resistant. Moderately palatable once animals have become accustomed to it; also makes good hay. Valued as a companion legume for many grasses because of its vigorous and productive growth, good quality herbage and ability to form balanced mixtures with grass.

As % of dry matter

DM

CP

CF

Ash

EE

NFE

Ca

P

Ref

Fresh aerial part,

4 weeks, 25 cm,

Thailand

20.2

24.3

30.2

9.9

3.5

32.1

1.19

0.40

219

Fresh aerial part,

6 weeks, 30 cm,

Thailand

19.5

23.6

31.8

8.2

3.6

32.8

1.03

0.41

"

Fresh aerial part,

8 weeks, 35 cm,

Thailand

15.4

25.3

31.8

7.8

3.2

31.9

1.04

0.32

"

Digestibility (%)

Animal

CP

CF

EE

NFE

ME

Ref

Fresh

Sheep

57.0

33.0

52.0

67.0

1.90

219

Amino acid composition as % of crude protein

Vines

Ref

188

Arg

Cys

Gly

Hys

Ils

Leu

Lys

Met

Phe

Thr

Try

Tyr

Val

4.3

1.0

4.3

1.6

3.8

6.2

3.5

1.6

4.0

4.2

1.1

3.0

4.5