Productivity of a \u3cem\u3eLeucaena Leucocephala-Cynodon Nlemfuensis\u3c/em\u3e Silvopastoral System with Sheep in Yucatan, Mexico

Animal production in the tropics of Mexico is based on grazed grasslands of low productivity; this type of production system has reduced the areas of natural vegetation and damaged the ecology (erosion of flora, fauna and soil). Silvopastoral technologies may improve the welfare and economic conditions of the rural population and, consequently, preserve their natural resources. The current work was designed to assess the introduction of Leucaena leucocephala in a silvopastoral system with Cynodon nlemfuensis (star grass) grazed by sheep

Intake and Yield of \u3ci\u3eCynodon nlemfuensis\u3c/i\u3e Alone and Associated with \u3ci\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/i\u3e Grazed by Sheep

The objective of the present study was to determine dry matter intake (DMI) and the forage yield of green dry matter (GDM) of star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) alone and associated with Leucaena leucocephala cv. Perú grazed by sheep. The experimental treatments were: Systems T1) Star grass alone, and T2) Star grass + L. leucocephala. These treatments were evaluated during three seasons (i.e. Late-rainy, Dry and Rainy seasons). The availability of forage was lower (P \u3c 0.0001) in T1, 2543 kg GDM/ha, than with T2, 3092 kg GDM/ha. Green dry matter in the rainy season was greater (P \u3c 0.0001), with 3910 kg GDM/ha, than in the late-rainy and dry seasons, 2492 and 2052 kg GDM/ha, respectively. DMI was 5.9 and 7.6 g DM/kg of LW 0.75/hour for the T1 and T2, respectively (P \u3c 0.0001). DMI during the rainy season was lower (P \u3c 0.01) than that of the dry and late-rainy seasons, 6.2, 6.4 and 7.5 g DM/kg LW0.75/hour, respectively. The association C. nlemfuensis-L. leucocephala increased the availability of forage and the voluntary intake