Abstract

BENITEZ-BAHENA, Yamili et al. Forage production of guaje (Leucaena spp.) associated with grass (Brachiaria brizantha) to sheep grazing. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2010, vol.1, n.3, pp.397-411. ISSN 2007-0934.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the plantation density of guaje (Leucaena collinsii and Leucaena leucocephala) related to the poaceae Brachiaria brizantha var. Libertad in a system of forest shepherding, through the amount and quality of forage obtained and its effect on the daily weight gain in grazing sheep from 2006 to 2008. The treatments evaluated were three plantation densities of guaje (5 000, 3 333 and 2 500 plants ha^-1). Evaluations were carried out in rainy and dry seasons for forage offered, for daily forage allocation, forage rejected, harvest index, forage disappearance rate and daily weight gain. The raw protein was calculated in forage offered and rejected. The production of guaje forage was greater with Leucaena leucocephala, which displayed a better forage production in rainy seasons, with 2 500 plants ha^-1 and a greater amount (3 333 plants ha^-1) of forage rejected in the rainy season; daily forage allocation was greater in the rainy season (2 500 plants ha^-1). In treatments with Leucaena collinsii, the harvest index displayed a greater trend (2 500 plants ha^-1) in the dry season; the forage disappearance rate had a higher tendency (2 500 plants ha^-1) during the rainy season. The guaje displayed a higher raw protein content with Leucaena leucocephala in the dry season. The raw protein content of the forage containing this guaje was higher during the rainy seasons (5 000 plants ha^-1). The results help recommend a density of 5 000 plants ha^-1 of guaje, since this density has a positive effect on the daily weight gain of the grazing sheep.

Keywords : Brachiaria brizantha var. Libertad; Leucaena collinsii; Leucaena leucocephala; plant density; weight gain.

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