Family Genus: Legume, Mimosa Subspecies: Leucaena
Origin: Leucaena is naturally found in large areas on Weizhou Island and Xieyang Island, located in Beihai City, Guangxi Province. It has been widely cultivated in the region due to its high productivity and adaptability.
Leucaena is a superior woody feed tree belonging to the common Leucaena species, specifically the Hawaiian shrub type. In 1964, a new variety of arborescent Leucaena from El Salvador was introduced to Guangxi. It performed exceptionally well and gradually became widely planted throughout the area.
Botanical Features:
New Leucaena is a perennial tree that can grow up to 3-5 meters tall, with some specimens reaching as high as 10 meters. The stems are thick, typically around 10 cm in diameter, and can grow up to 25 cm or more. The bark is grayish-yellow in color. The main root system is well-developed, and the leaves are evenly pinnate, with 5 to 7 pairs of pinnae. Each pinna has 10 to 17 pairs of leaflets, and there are small glands present. The leaflets are about 1.5 cm wide and 0.4 cm long, with dark green upper surfaces and lighter backs. The flowers are white and appear in clusters. The pods are flat and banded, containing 15 to 25 seeds each. The seeds are flattened, melon-shaped, smooth, and brown, with a 1,000-seed weight of approximately 50 grams.
Biological Characteristics:
Leucaena thrives in warm and humid climates, with an optimal growth temperature range of 20 to 30°C. It can still grow at temperatures above 35°C, although growth may slow down. When temperatures drop below 12°C, growth becomes significantly slower, and it stops growing when temperatures fall below 8°C. However, it can tolerate light frost, even at -3°C. This makes it suitable for cultivation in southern Guangxi, where it retains its leaves through winter. In northern Guangxi, it may lose some foliage but regrows quickly in spring. It is drought-resistant but not flood-tolerant, and performs poorly in low-lying areas. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils, though it can still grow in acidic red soils with a pH between 5 and 6.5.
Feeding Value:
The branches, leaves, pods, and seeds of New Leucaena are rich in nutrients. Laboratory tests have shown that the leaves and branches contain 21.0% to 29.1% crude protein, which is comparable to soybean meal (21.7%) and higher than beans (38%). The stem and leaf tissues also contain 2.1% lysine, 0.96% methionine, and 0.23% cysteine. Fresh biomass yield ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 kg per hectare, and it can be harvested 3 to 4 times annually. Seed yield is between 50 to 100 kg per mu, with two harvests per year. Leucaena is highly palatable to cattle, sheep, and rabbits, making it an excellent forage crop.
However, Leucaena contains a compound called mimosin, which is toxic if consumed in large quantities over a long period. Prolonged feeding can lead to symptoms such as hair loss, excessive salivation, and stunted growth in livestock. Under grazing conditions, moderate consumption by cattle and sheep does not usually result in poisoning. Interestingly, the rumen of these animals can develop bacteria that help break down mimosin. These bacteria can be transferred to other animals, enabling them to safely consume Leucaena without adverse effects.
In addition to its use as animal feed, Leucaena is a fast-growing, versatile species. It is commonly used as green manure, for soil cover, as fuelwood, for afforestation, and for soil and water conservation. Its multiple benefits make it a valuable resource in sustainable agriculture and environmental management.
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