Leucaena research in the Asian Pacific region. Proceedings of a workshop.
1983
Because of Leucaena leucocephala's multiple uses as forage, fuelwood, poles, green manure, etc., this fast growing, nitrogen-fixing tree has been the subject of much research in the last decade. The results have clarified the capabilities of the plant as well as its limitations. One main constraint to cultivation in vast areas of Latin America and Southeast Asia has been leucaena's inability to survive on acidic, aluminum saturated soils. At low pH, the aluminum complexes with calcium, which is essential for good growth. Trials have shown that some varieties of L. diversifolia can make use of the calcium from the complexes and that crosses between these varieties and L. leucocephala perform well on acidic soils. The main constraint to use of leucaena as a forage derives from the plant's content of mimosine, a toxic, nonprotein amino acid. Although leucaena has proved to be a highly nutritious animal feed, the mimosine and its breakdown product, DHP (3-hydroxy-4[1H]pyridone), have caused toxicity among animals fed high levels of leaf meal. Scientists now have evidence that the mimosine is converted into DHP when brought into contact with an enzyme contained in some of the plant's cells harbouring mimosine. Research into these problems, as well as results, are described in this publication.
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