• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.986-991
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• 2002

An experiment was conducted at Suwanvajokkasikit Research Station, Pakchong, Nakornratchasima, Thailand, to determine the yield and quality of three different grass cultivars intercropped with leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). The treatments consisted of three grass cultivars (ruzi, dwarf napier and Taiwan A25) as the main plots, planted between leucaena at three row spacings (1, 2 and 4 m width) as the sub plots and leucaena cutting height (10 and 25 cm above ground levels) as sub-sub-plots. Dwarf napier consistently produced more dry matter than Taiwan A25 or ruzi and Taiwan A25 outyielded ruzi. Leucaena yield was highest in the ruzi plot and lowest in the dwarf napier plot. However, yields of grass plus leucaena were highest in the dwarf napier plot and were lowest in the ruzi plots. The difference was due mainly to the grass components. Increasing the spacing between rows of leucaena resulted in a lower leucaena yield but the reverse was true for the grasses. Cutting of leucaena at 10 cm above ground levels depressed yields of leucaena but did not affect the associated grasses. In terms of herbage quality, it was found that the crude protein of leaves and stems of the dwarf napier and Taiwan A25 were higher than that of the ruzi grass. Leucaena gave higher levels of crude protein than all grasses. The phosphorus and potassium levels of all grasses were higher than leucaena. ADF levels were higher in the grasses than in the legumes. Nutrient contents in the leaves and stems of grasses and leucaena were not affected by leucaena spacing and cutting height.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 1997

The minimum amounts of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) required to improve the performance of cattle on a straw diet has been studied. Four levels of leucaena, namely 0 (0%), 2 kg (10%), 4 kg (18%) and 6 kg (27% of dietary dry matter intake) were supplied to 4 adult indigenous bulls ($355{\pm}21.5kg$ weight) fed rice straw alone, in a $4{\times}4$ latin square design. Measurements were made on intake, digestibility, N balance and microbial N yield. Up to 10% level of leucaena supplementation, there were no significant improvement on intake, digestibility, microbial N yield and N balance. Both straw and total dry matter intake showed diminishing return to increasing levels of leucaena supplementation and the maximum intake was observed at around 20% level. However, dietary N and digestible organic matter intake, the microbial N yield and the N balance increased linearly to the increasing levels of leucaena supplementation. On a rice straw based diet, the minimum level of leucaena required to improve the animal performance would probably be at around 20% of the dietary intake.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 1998

In a feeding trial, Jamunapari male kids (18) of about 4 months age were equally divided into two groups of nine animals each. Goats in the experimental group were fed sun-dried pelleted Leucaena leucocephala leaves and those in the control group were offered a conventional diet without Leucaena leaves as per Kearl (1982) recommendations for a period of 6 months. Daily dry matter intake DMI/100 kg BW was $3.13{\pm}0.04kg$ in the Leucaena group and $3.30{\pm}0.05kg$ in the control. There were significant (p < 0.01) differences in the apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF and NFE being lower in the Leucaena group. Contents of digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were 11.40 and 52.20%, respectively, in the Leucaena group and 14.04 and 66.10%, respectively in the control. The nitrogen in the Leucaena group was not well utilized as compared to the control, though kids were in positive nitrogen balance in both the groups. The average daily weight gain of kids on pelleted Leucaena was $29.95{\pm}2.60g$ as against $42.09{\pm}3.24g$ observed in the control. The mean DMI/kg LW gain was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the Leucaena group ($14.70{\pm}0.78kg$) as compared to the control ($11.55{\pm}0.46kg$). The Hb, BUN, SGOT and SGPT concentrations were statistically similar in both the groups. Histopathological examination of thyroid gland of goats sacrificed at the end of experiment did not reveal any signs of colloidal goitre associated with mimosine toxicity. No significant pathological alterations were observed in vital organs irrespective of dietary treatment. Sundried, pelleted Leucaena foliage appears to be a promising potential feed for growing goats without any significant deleterious effect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.213-217
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• 1995

Leucaena leucocephala (lam. de Wit) is a multipurpose leguminous tree/shrub, promoted extensively for reforestation and rural development programmes, as well as in ruminant production. After a year of establishment in the plots, the overall leaves and twigs yield was on average 0.92 kg/plant, containing an average 23.34, 10.61, 5.32 and 10.13 percent CP, CF, and ash, respectively. The proximate and mineral compositions are affected by factors such as stage of maturity, type of cultivar, seasons, cutting intervals, different plant parts. Though leucaena contains toxic mimosine and tannins, these are not always deleterious for ruminants and rumen microbes can often degrade toxic factors into a nontoxic utilizable product Mimosine content is generally higher in the seed than other plant parts. Leucaena supplementation in ruminant ration showed higher digestibility co-efficient of proximate component, which may results in higher productivity. Considering its productivity, composition and nutritive value. L. Leucocephala could be more widely used as a protein source for ruminants in tropical and sub-tropical countries.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.370-372
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• 2005

A cross-linked leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) seed gum (CLLSG) matrix was prepared for the isolation of galactose-specific lectins by affinity chromatography. The matrix was evaluated for affinity with a known galactose-specific lectin from the seeds of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina). The matrix preparation was simple and inexpensive when compared to commercial galactose-specific matrices (i.e. about 1.5 US$/100 ml of matrix). The current method is also useful for the demonstration of the affinity chromatography technique in laboratories. Since leucaena seeds are abundant and inexpensive, and the matrix preparation is easy, CLLSG appears to be a promising tool for the separation of galactose-specific lectins.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.742-746
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• 1999

The potential of Leucaena leucocephala and Prosopis cineraria leaves as nitrogen supplements ($16g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$) to improve the utilization of a basal diet of rice straw by goats was assessed in a feeding trial. Rice straw supplementation with forage oats (Avena sativa) was fed as a control diet. DMI, $g/kgW^{0.75}$ of rice straw by goats receiving Leucaena was significantly (p<0.05) higher followed by Prosopis and oat fodder. The supplementation of Leucaena improved the digestibility coefficient of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF nutrient density. Goats on Prosopis or oat fodder supplemented straw responded similarly in terms of nutrient utilization. The intake ($g/kgW^{0.75}$) of DCP, TDN and nitrogen balance of goats were significantly higher (p<0.05) when Leucaena was fed. It is suggested that the Leucaena may be a useful N-supplement in areas where livestock are fed poor quality crop residues.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1659-1666
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• 2000

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) and Gliricidia sepium (gliricidia) supplementation on intake, digestion, outflow rates, microbial protein yield and live-weight changes in sheep fed with ammoniated rice straw (ARS). In experiment 1, three rumen cannulated Japanese Corriedale wether (mean body weight of 35.6 kg) in $3{\times}3$ Latin Square Design were used. Animals were fed ad libitum ARS alone, or supplemented with 200 g of either leucaena or gliricidia. In experiment 2, twenty-four growing native Philippine sheep with average body weight of $13.5{\pm}0.25kg$ were used in a completely randomized design (CRD) and offered similar diets to those of experiment 1. Supplementation increased total dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility except for fiber (p<0.05) without affecting ARS consumption. Nitrogen balance revealed that absorbed and retained N was significantly higher in leucaena and gliricidia. The significant improvement in N utilization and more digestible OM intake brought about by the inclusion of leucaena and gliricidia to ARS resulted in increased (p<0.05) microbial N yield. Efficiency of microbial N supply in supplemented group was not significantly different, but higher (p<0.05) than the 24.92 g N/kg DOMR for ARS group. Liquid outflow rate was 7.8 and 6.8 %/h, while the solid phase of rumen digesta was 4.4 and 3.8 %/h for the leucaena and gliricidia group respectively, which were significantly higher than 5.30 and 2.50 %/h in the control diet. The increase in total DMI resulted to higher (p<0.01) growth performance and efficient feed utilization. Average daily gain (ADG) was 19.3, 34.6 and 33.9 g/d for the ARS, leucaena and gliricidia respectively. It is therefore concluded that addition of leucaena and gliricidia to ARS in could increase nutrient intake and digestibility, subsequently improving N utilization and livestock performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1433-1438
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• 2002

The study was carried out to evaluate leucaena seeds as a protein replacement of mustard seed cake (MSC) in the concentrate mixture of growing lambs. Fifteen owing male lambs (Local${\times}$Corridale) with an average body weight of 16.3 kg were allocated into three dietary treatments (T1, T2, and T3) with five animals in each group. Animals were offered dry mixed grass, berseem hay and concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements. In concentrate mixture of T1, (Control) MSC was used as protein source, while in T2 and T3 groups, 25 and 50% of MSC was replaced by leucaena leucocephala seeds. On completion of three months (90 days) of feeding, a digestion cum-metabolism trial was conducted to determine DMI, nutrient utilization, and nitrogen balance. Changes in body weight were recorded at 15 day internals and eating patterns were recorded for 3 consecutive days at the end of the feeding trial. MSC had higher CP contents than leucaena seeds (27.0%). Mimosine contents in leucaena seeds were 1.1 compared to 0.2 and 0.4% in concentrate mixture of T2 and T3 group, respectively. Dry matter intake varied non-significantly ($79.3{\pm}1.2$ to $83.4{\pm}1.3g/kg$ $w^{0.75}$) across the dietary treatments. Digestibility of DM and cell wall polysaccharides (NDF, ADF. Cellulose and hemicellulose) were comparable, however CP digestibility was relatively lower in leucaena luecocephala seeds based groups (T2 $45.5{\pm}1.7$ and T3 $46.7{\pm}3.5$) compared to MSC supplemented group (T1 $47.7{\pm}0.9%$). The growth rate of lambs was non-significantly higher in T1 ($79.2{\pm}5.4$) compared to T2 ($73.8{\pm}8.8$) and T3 ($73.9{\pm}7.0$), respectively. The animals were in positive nitrogen balance and N-balance varied from 1.8 to 2.9 g/d across treatment groups. The eating rate (% of total offered) of concentrate up-to 15 min was relatively higher in T1 (82.4) than T2 (74.2) and T3 (77.8%). However no effect of leucaena seeds was recorded on total DMI of animals. The results of the study revealed that the inclusion of up to 50% leucaena seeds, as protein source in concentrate mixture of lambs had no adverse effect on DMI, nutrient utilization, eating patterns, nitrogen balance and growth performance of lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.332-339
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• 2005

The effect of transinoculation of goat rumen liquor into sheep rumen on mimosine toxicity was studied. One adult Kutchi male goat having higher mimosine degradation capacity than sheep was gradually adapted to Leucaena leucocephala (Leucaena) leaves by feeding increasing level of eucaena leaves supplementation for 1 month. Six Bharat Merino rams (12-18 months of age) were divided into two equal groups with (group I) or without (group II) infusion of 200 ml of goat rumen liquor per animal. The mimosine degradation in groups I and II were 3.04 and 2.31; 3.90 and 3.73 mg per day per 10 ml rumen liquor respectively after 1 and 2 weeks of leucaena feeding leaves. Total rumen bacterial population in RGCA medium and in a selective medium containing iron showed an increasing trend in both groups, while the bacterial population growing in the presence of cellulose showed a decreasing trend. Animal performance data did not show any adverse effect. Results revealed that transinoculation of rumen liquor from leucaena leaves adapted goat to sheep rumen did not help to improve mimosine degradation in the sheep. The sheep transinoculated with goat rumen liquor displayed no in vivo improvements in nutrient utilization vis-a-vis mimosine metabolism.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.455-459
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• 1997

Fifteen intact male Jamunapari goats, average body weight $22.0{\pm}1.18kg$ were divided into three groups of 5 animals in each to investigate the effects of feeding leucaena on energy retention and distribution of retained energy. Leucaena leaves and twigs provided 0%, 25% and 50% of CP in the rations of animals in $L_1$ (control), $L_2$ and $L_3$ groups, respectively. Energy balances were determined in an open circuit respiration chamber from gaseous exchange and nitrogen carbon balances. Energy retentions calculated from gaseous exchange data were 181.6, 190.0 and 172.8 kJ/kg $W^{0.75}/d$ and from carbon-nitrogen balances were 178.2, 199.5 and 171.1 kJ/kg $W^{0.75}/d$ in $L_1$, $L_2$ and $L_3$ groups, respectively. No significant difference was observed among the groups in both the methods. The retention of nitrogen and energy in the form of protein was similar in different treatment groups. Similarly, no significant effect was observed on energy retention in the form of fat and total energy retention due to incorporation of leucaena in the diets.