Abstract
Ranchers need alternative livestock feeds when herbaceous forages become limiting in summer. Our objectives were to determine: (1) leaf and stem biomass components, (2) nutritive value [in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC), N, and N digestibility] of leaves for animal browse, (3) concentration of the secondary metabolites robinin and mimosine, and (4) in vitro leaf and bark toxicity for black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and mimosa (Albizia julibrissin Durz.), respectively, pollarded at 50 cm in Arkansas, USA. Black locust exceeded mimosa for every yield component (leaf mass tree−1, leaves shoot−1, shoots tree−1, shoot mass tree−1, stem basal area, and biomass tree−1) except mass leaf−1. Projected yields were 1,900 and 1,600 kg leaves ha−1 for black locust and mimosa, respectively, assuming a population of 12,300 trees ha−1. Mimosa leaves had greater IVDMD, TNC, and N digestibility than black locust. Mimosa leaves exceeded the nutritional N requirements of growing cattle (Bos taurus L.) and goats (Capra hircus L.), but protein supplementation would be needed for growing goats grazing black locust leaves. Tissue concentrations of secondary metabolites robinin and mimosine were below detectable limits in black locust and mimosa, respectively. The extract of black locust bark, but not leaves, was toxic to bioassayed African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops L.) cells. Either black locust or mimosa could provide moderate quantities of high quality, rotationally grazed forage for goats during summer months when herbaceous forage may in short supply.
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Acknowledgments
Jim Whiley, Karen Chapman (USDA-ARS, Booneville, Arkansas), and Calvin Hawkins (University of Arkansas) provided technical assistance. Joyce Ruckle (USDA-ARS, Beaver, West Virginia) conducted the carbohydrate and N analyses. Dr. Glen Aiken (USDA-ARS, Lexington, Kentucky) collected and donated the mimosa seed. Dr. David Bransby (Auburn Univ., Auburn, Alabama) provided the kudzu leaf sample. Drs. Paul Mueller (North Carolina State University, Raleigh) and Jim Muir (Texas A&M University, Stephenville) provided helpful review comments. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Burner, D.M., Carrier, D.J., Belesky, D.P. et al. Yield components and nutritive value of Robinia pseudoacacia and Albizia julibrissin in Arkansas, USA. Agroforest Syst 72, 51–62 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-007-9098-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-007-9098-x