Farmer Based Seed Production of \u3cem\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e in Eastern Indonesia

Leucaena leucocephala cv. Tarramba was first introduced to Indonesia in 2001 as an activity of ACIAR Project AS2/2000/157. It has now become the most popular variety used by agencies promoting the use of leucaena for ruminant feeding in Eastern Indonesia (Nulik et al. 2004). The greater adaptability and higher production of Tarramba, even in the dry season, its erect growth habit as well as its tolerance of the psyllid insect (Heteropsylla cubana) compared to the ubiquitous ‘common’ leucaena, has been frequently observed (Nulik et al. 2004). The cultivar has attracted much interest from farmers and other stakeholders who request seed for its wider development as high quality forage for feeding cattle. This increasing demand highlights the need to understand the best practices for establishment and management, and the need for local supply of good quality seed. Lack of seed availability is one of the most important barriers to the wider distribution and use of Tarramba. It is estimated that at least 1000 kg and perhaps as much as 5000 kg of Tarramba may be needed annually to ensure adequate seed supply

Establishment of \u3cem\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e cv. Tarramba in Eastern Indonesia

The adaptability and productive value of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Tarramba (Tarramba) in eastern Indonesia has been observed since 2001 (Nulik et al. 2004), with many farmers and other stakeholders currently requesting seed for planting. Tarramba has greater forage and timber production, and psyllid tolerance than other commercial cultivars and locally grown leucaena. The variability of soils and climate in eastern Indonesia means that establishment techniques specific to the region are required to achieve maximum adoption and utilisation of Tarramba

Prevalence of DHP Toxicity and Detection of \u3cem\u3eS. jonesii\u3c/em\u3e in Ruminants Consuming \u3cem\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e in Eastern Indonesia

Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) is a productive forage tree legume widely used in eastern Indonesia. While highly nutritious, it possesses the toxin mimosine which adversely affects animal production. In ruminants, mimosine is readily converted to the two isomers of dihydroxypyridine (3,4-DHP and 2,3-DHP) known to cause goitre, suppress appetite, and cause severe mineral deficiencies. These adverse symptoms may be partially responsible for the reluctance of some farmers to feed leucaena. A bacterium capable of complete degradation of DHP, Synergistes jonesii, originally discovered in Hawaii in goats consuming leucaena (Jones and Megarrity 1986), was later found in Indonesia which led to the assumption that all Indonesian ruminants were protected from leucaena toxicity even on 100% leucaena diets. The objective of this study, conducted during October-November 2011, was to confirm this hypothesis via an extensive survey of the toxicity status of ruminants consuming leucaena in eastern Indonesia