Multi-strata production of leguminous forages for livestock production in northern Philippines

3^rd International Conference on Veterinary & Livestock

November 02-03, 2017 Bangkok, Thailand

Patricia M Barcelo, Terson Casi, Emilio E Cruz, Edgar Orden and Anna Marie P Alo

Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Philippines
Central Luzon State University, Philippines
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Philippines

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Vet Sci Technol

Abstract :

The performance of four-legume strata composed of Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Desmodium rensonii and Cajanus cajan was determined in Northern Philippines to address the seasonality of feeds and the availability of quality forages on a year-round basis using the RCBD design. Results revealed that the germination rates of the four forages during the rainy season were signifi cantly higher than those planted during the dry season, however; the survival rates were comparable for both seasons. Cajanus cajan was signifi cantly taller than the other species of forages for both planting seasons, followed by Leucaena leucocephala. Th e results of the cutting intervals of 30 days during the rainy season and 45 days during the dry season reveal that Leucaena leucocephala had signifi cantly the highest re-growths while Cajanus cajan had signifi cantly the shortest. Th e leaf:stem ratio of the diff erent forages were comparable during the dry and rainy seasons. Th e pooled chemical analyses of the four forages were comparable at the diff erent cutting intervals. Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Desmodium rensonii performed well if planted in a multi-strata scheme while Cajanus cajan is not suited under this forage establishment.