Caracterización de diez cultivares forrajeros de Leucaena leucocephala basada en la composición química y la degradabilidad ruminal

Abstract

Objective: The chemical composition and ruminal degradability of ten cultivars of Leucaena leucocephala Lam de Wit were examined using principal components analysis (PCA). Materials and methods: Chemical composition, secondary metabolite level and ruminal degradability in sheep were evaluated over three years. Using SPSS statistical software, groups of accession of the nutritive characteristics were obtained with a three-dimensional diagram. Results: A high variability for the first three components was detected (85.83%). Protein, fiber fraction, minerals and phenols, phytates and ruminal degradability showed the biggest fluctuations. Six groups with distinctive characteristics were identified, including G1: high protein quantity, low fiber proportion and secondary metabolites and high degradation -cv. CNIA-250 and cv. K-28-; G-2: High dry matter, proteins and phenols content, low fiber proportion and tannins and low ruminal degradability -cv. Ipil-Ipil-; G-3: standard chemical composition -cv. México-; G-4: low dry matter, phenols and mimosine content and high ruminal degradability -cv. Cunningham, cv. 7 and cv. América-; G-5: high contento f dry matter, phenols and medium nutritive value -cv. K-8 y cv. K-67-; G-6: high dry matter and tannin percentage, and low nutritive value (cv. Perú). Conclusions: The edible biomass of L. leucocephala cultivars Cunningham, América, 7, México, CNIA-250 and K-28 constitutes the best options for animal feeding. © 2009 Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Colombia.