Mineral composition and nutritive value of tropical forage legumes as affected by shade

C. C. Wong

Abstract

Responses of 14 legumes to four shade intensities (100, 56,34 and 18% daylight in greenhouse) on plant tissue mineral composition and forage quality were studied in a pot trial. The mean P, Ca, Mg. K and crude protein contents of the 14 legumes increased significantly (p <0.01) with increasing shade intensity. The Stylosanthes spp. were highest in Ca content while Peruvian leucaena was high in K and crudc protein contents. Generally, crude protein yield decreased significantly with increased shade intensity. Puero, Calopo and Caeruleum ranked top in crude protein yield. In vitro dry matter digestibility was not significantly affected by shade but the shade intolerant legumes were higher in dry matter digestibitity percentage than that of the shade tolerant legumes. Acid detergent fibre was slightly higher in plants under the shade.

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