FORAGE PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION OF Leucaena leucocephala IN THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING CARIBBEAN

Although Leucaena leucocephala is naturalized in the Caribbean islands where many ecotypes exist, only the giant types from St. Lucia and Haiti are highly productive. On relatively neutral to alkaline soils, cv. Cunningham and the Hawaiian K8, K28 and K67 have outyielded other lines. CF95 is considered to be moderately tolerant of soil acidity. Leucaena is not usually inoculated but scarification (hot water) is often useful. If ample seed supplies are available, direct sowing is effective but most commercial plantings have used seedlings. Under good conditions, yields of 20 t/ha with some 25% CP have been achieved, depending upon soil moisture and fertility. Psyllids are usually controlled by natural predators but occasional spraying may be necessary for maximum yields. Leucaena can be grazed, fed as green chop, ensiled or dried to leaf meal. Giant varieties are used as living fence posts. There are no reports of toxicity in ruminants. A Jamaican process uses fermentation to generate gas for fuel while detoxifying the mimosine. The solid residue can be used in poultry rations. While Leucaena is suitable for both large and small farms where soils range from mildly acidic to highly alkaline, high levels of lime and fertilizer are needed on very acid soils. Other leguminous trees should be developed for these adverse conditions.