Evaluation of dried Leucaena leaf from Malawi

Abstract

The in vivo digestibility of two grades of sun/air dried Leucaena leucocephala leaf cv. Peru of Malawi origin was investigated using sheep in metabolism crates and fed at maintenance level. Both grades of leaf were pelleted before feeding, the B grade pellets being manufactured from unground material. The crude protein, crude fibre and mimosine levels were reported (g/kg DM):- Grade A pellets 289; 106; 11 Grade B pellets 188; 228; 16.

The five treatments, each with three replicates used in the experiment, together with feeding levels (g/head/day) were as follows:- Treatment 1. Hay (500 g) Treatment 2. Hay (350 g) with Leucaena A pellets (296 g) Treatment 3. Leucaena B pellets (726 g) Treatment 4. Hay (350 g) with Leucaena B pellets (363 g) Treatment 5. Leucaena A pellets (592 g)

The 10 day digestibility trial followed a three week period of adaption during which levels of Leucaena intake were slowly increased. Despite this adaptive period, considerable health problems were encountered. Toxicity reactions were extremely variable, but most acute in Treatment 5> which two sheep died. Some fleece shedding and digestive disturbances were experienced with the other leucaena based diets.

Metabolisable energy, organic matter and crude protein digestibility coefficient with standard deviations for grade A pellets of 8.7 ± 1.25; 0.54 ± .043; 0.61 ± .037 were calculated by difference, and for grade B pellets of 5.8 ± .07; 0.43 ± .014; 0.47 ± .064 were determined directly.

An apparent depression in hay digestibility in the presence of leucaena is reported and, in consideration of the health problems, the validity of all the values is discussed.

Toxicity reactions were investigated and post mortem findings and blood cell count data are presented.