COMPARATIVE GROWTH OF 3 VARIETIES OF LEUCAENA-LEUCOCEPHALA ASSOCIATED WITH BERMUDA-GRASS-68 UNDER GRAZING CONDITIONS OF FEMALE CALVES

The varieties Peru, Vietnam V-360 and CIAT 9421 of Leucaena leucocephala were evaluated to select those with better performance in a random block design with two replications and three treatments. The areas were grazed by 12 Holstein female calves per hectare with an initial live weight of 120 kg and approximately 6 months of age. The gradual growth of plants was measured at intervals by height, number of leaves, stems/plant and weight/plant. The Leucaena rows were associated with Cynodon dactylon nr bermuda 68. One year after sowing, Peru showed a greater growth followed by CIAT and Vietnam. The variety-Vietnam showed the lowest values (P < 0.001) and height(158 cm) and number of stems per plant (7 cm) followed by CIAT and Peru. The number of leaves per plant and dry weight/plant showed the higher values in Peru (84 and 30 g) and differed significantly (P < 0.001) from the other varieties that offered a similar performance. Two years after sowing, the plants of the Vietnam variety showed the lowest height (164 cm) and number of leaves/plant (13) not differing from CIAT (11), but from Peru (P < 0.001) (32). Peru showed the highest number of leaves/plant and the highest weight g DM/plant with 81 and 24, respectively CIAT and Vietnam offered a similar performance in respect to dry weight of the plant (34 and 44, respectively). The grass was not affected by grazing and presented an adequate growth. Vietnam and CIAT grew less than Peru and their yields were somewhat lower. The female calves had daily gains of 426 g/animal and no toxic symptoms were observed. The grassland used by female caves did not show excessive growth of the varieties. The three varieties could be used for female calf grazing.