The nutritional value of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit was compared with that of 3 browse species native to western Tanzania: Antidesma venosum Mey. & Tul., Margaritaria discoides Baill., and Phyllanthus reticulatus Lodd. Foliage samples were collected monthly throughout the dry season from replicated sites on 3 different soil types and analyzed for crude protein, total ash, and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The crude protein content of L. leucocephata (17.60-29.69%) was higher (P<.05) than that of the native species (8.51-16.33%) throughout the study. Phyllanthus reticulatus had the highest crude protein of the native species. Abscised leaves had only half the crude protein of green leaves of the same species. All species showed a significant increase in crude protein when new leaves appeared. L. leucocephala had as much or more ash (6.96-9.77%) than the native species. Margaritaria discoides was more (P<.05) digestible (56.75- 74.06%) than all other species on ail dates but one. The in vitro dry matter digestibility of green and abscised leaves of the same species did not differ (P<.05) until July when green leaves ofikf. discoides, were more digestible. Soil type affected the in vitro dry matter digestibility of ail species except A. venosum (P<.05), but did not affect crude protein values. Both the native species and L. leucoce- phaIa can contribute significantly to meeting animal nutrient demands in the dry season. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.