Forage yield and quality of Leucaena leucocephala and Guazuma ulmifolia in tropical silvopastoral systems

Abstract

Low availability and quality of pastures during the dry season are common problems in tropical livestock production systems. However, several studies indicate that the use of trees and shrubs is a good alternative to overcome those problems (Ku-Vera et al. 1999), by producing foliage of higher nutritional value than that of forage grasses. In addition, their use could contribute to reforestation and restoration of degraded land (CasanovaLugo et al. 2010). While several recent reports have focused on the incorporation of Leucaena leucocephala in silvopastoral systems (Murgueitio et al. 2011), there is little information about other tropical tree species with high forage production potential, such as Guazuma ulmifolia, which is broadly used in Southeast Mexico. In addition, little is known about the effect of season on forage quality of these species under a particular management regime. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the yield and forage quality of L. leucocephala and G. ulmifolia in the subhumid tropics during the dry and rainy seasons.