Family Genus: Legume, Genus: Mimosa, Species: Leucaena
Origin: Leucaena naturally grows in large areas on Weizhou Island and Xieyang Island in Beihai City, Guangxi Province. This species has been widely cultivated in the region due to its excellent characteristics.
Leucaena is a high-quality woody feed tree, belonging to the common Leucaena species, specifically the Hawaiian shrub type. In 1964, an arborescent variety of El Salvador-type Leucaena was introduced into Guangxi, where it performed exceptionally well and gradually became widely planted across the region.
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 contains 10 to 17 pairs of leaflets, which have small glandular points. The leaflets are about 1.5 cm wide and 0.4 cm long, with dark green upper surfaces and lighter undersides. The flowers are white and appear in clusters, while the pods are flat and banded, containing 15 to 25 seeds. The seeds are flattened, melon-shaped, smooth, and brown in color, with a 1000-seed weight of approximately 50 grams.
Biological Characteristics:
Leucaena thrives in warm and humid climates, with optimal growth temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. It can still grow at temperatures above 35°C and tolerates cold conditions down to 8°C. At temperatures below 12°C, growth slows, and at -3°C, it can still survive light frost. In southern Guangxi, it remains evergreen during winter, and even in northern Guangxi, it regenerates quickly in spring. It is drought-resistant but not flood-tolerant, growing poorly in low-lying areas. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils, though it can also grow in acidic red soils (pH 5–6.5).
Feeding Value:
The branches, leaves, pods, and pods of New Leucaena are rich in nutrients. Laboratory tests show that the branches and leaves contain 21.0% to 29.1% crude protein, comparable to soybean meal (21.7%) and higher than beans (38%). They also contain lysine (2.1%), methionine (0.96%), and cysteine (0.23%). The fresh forage yield is between 3,000 and 5,000 kg per hectare, and it can be harvested 3 to 4 times a year. Seed yield is 50 to 100 kg per mu, with two harvests annually. Leucaena is suitable for grazing and is preferred by cattle, sheep, and rabbits.
However, Leucaena contains mimosin, a toxic compound that can cause poisoning if consumed in large quantities over time. Symptoms include hair loss, excessive salivation, and slow growth. Under normal grazing conditions, livestock that consume it in moderate amounts do not show signs of poisoning. Moreover, the rumen of animals that regularly eat Leucaena contains bacteria capable of breaking down mimosin. These bacteria can be transferred to other animals, helping them detoxify Leucaena effectively.
In addition to its use as animal feed, Leucaena is a fast-growing, high-quality species with multiple applications, including green manure, soil cover, fuelwood, reforestation, and erosion control. Its versatility makes it a valuable resource in both agricultural and environmental contexts.
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