 | Abstract 190Leucaena leucocephala as a forage plant.Arriojas,-LI Univ. Central de Venezuela, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Maracay, Venezuela. Revistade-la-Facultad-de-Agronomia-de-la-Universidad-Centra -de-Venezuela. 1986, 35, 169-192; 59 ref. The distribution, cultivation and nutritive value of Leucaena leucocephala, a native of Mexico and Central America and now a naturalized forage species in several tropical areas, are reviewed. Although well adapted to high humidity and fertile soils it can grow under dry conditions and low soil fertility, preferring neutral or alkaline soils. Production and nutritive value compare favourably with lucerne and ryegrass. Foliage characteristics make it an ideal feed for ruminants. The toxic substance mimosine can cause problems when the forage is eaten in large quantities over a long period. Cultivars with low mimosine content are being investigated. This abstract relates to the following species: |