Agronomy and forage quality of Albizia lebbek in the semi-arid tropics [Indian siris; tree legume; sheep; Queensland]
1989
Lowry, B.J. (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Townsville (Australia). Div. of Tropical Crops and Pastures)
Measurements from A. lebbek trees in the Townsville, Queensland area show that mature trees in open woodland can make substantial edible dry matter available without cutting or browsing through the natural seasonal fall of leaves (c. 60 kg per tree), flowers (30 kg per tree), and pods (30 kg per tree). The existence of a significant feed resource in the fallen inflorescence was unexpected and previously unreported. In addition the tree canopy has a positive effect on grass dry matter production. The tree products were each fed as the sole diet to sheep for determination of dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility, and nitrogen digestibility, and the results are discussed. Well-grown trees appear likely to supply digestible crude protein at about 97 g per tree per day over Aug.-Dec., when supplementation is most required.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation