Potential of Cytisus and allied genera (Genisteae: Fabaceae) as forage shrubs

Abstract

The chemical composition of the herbage produced by shrubs belonging to the genus Cytisus and allied genera ( Cytisophyllum, Chamaecytisus , and Genista sect. Teline ) was determined to appraise its potential value for forage. In their third year, eight accessions were assessed in a semi‐arid environment (400 mm annual rainfall) for seasonal variation of leaf/stem ratio, and contents of ashes, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and crude protein (CP). Fibre and crude protein concentration were similar to those of best‐quality shrubby legumes like Medicago sp. pi. Colutea sp. pi., or Chamaecytisus palmensis (ADF, 18–35%; CP, 14–24%). Genista monspessulana had low fibre and high protein contents, which were the most constant during the year. From the results obtained in this and the previous agronomic study, Part 1 of this series (Gonzalez‐Andrés & Ortiz 1996), Genista monspessulana, Chamaecytisus podolicus , and C. supinus are recommended as potentially useful forage shrubs because of their high dry matter production potential, high survival rate, and favourable chemical composition. This needs to be validated in studies involving animals.