Relative performance of important Leucaena varieties for fodder production under silvi-pastoral system

Three varieties of Leucaena viz., K-8 (L. leucocephala), K-156 (L. diversifolia) and K-743A (L. leucocephala x L. diversifolia) were evaluated for fodder production under silvipastoral system to improve the fodder quality and quantity. The fodder crops viz., Napier bajra hybrid (PBN-233, perennial), maize (J-1006) + cowpea (Cowpea-88) followed by berseem (BL-10) + Rye grass (Rye grass No.1) were grown in between the rows of Leucaena to study the effect of annuals and perennials on Leucaena fodder production. The variety K-8 was found to perform best among the studied three varieties for height (3.35 m & 3.20 m), collar diameter (8.38 cm & 12.12 cm), fresh leaf biomass (3.70 kg/plant & 3.78 kg/plant), dry leaf biomass (1.18 kg/plant & 1.30 kg/plant), fuelwood biomass (3.17 kg/plants & 3.35 Kg/plant) and fuelwood dry biomass (1.15 kg/plants & 1.19 kg/plants).