Bwa-yo - Société Audubon Haiti

Lisina... Delen 123
forestry projects began promoting this
technology (Fig. 15.5). Seed is sown
directly along the contour made by a shallow
trench in the soil. Ifproperly managed,
the hedgerow can serve a multi-purpose
role: soil conservation structure and source
of green manure, fodder, and fuelwood. As
a fodder, L. leucocephala is an important
source of protein and is highly palatable.
Ideally, fodder banks are established near
the courtyard to provide a c6nvenient grazing
area near tethered livestock and where
browsing can be controlled to maintain
productivity (Fig. 15.6). However, open
and staked grazing in annually-cropped
fields is more common, in which case it
can be expected that hedgerows and
seedlings will suffer extensive damage.
The tree cannot be grazed hard and continuously
without its productivity diminishing
to very low levels. Mimosine toxity
also limits the amount that can be consumed
by livestock without impairing their
health. Proximate analyses are summarized Figure ]5.5 Pruned Leucaena hedgerow.
in Table 15.1.
As a medicinal plant, roots and leafy twigs of subspecies leucocephala are boiled
in a decoction for severe back pain; the twigs are boiled and taken for menstrual cramps;
the leaves are consumed as a tea for gas and typhoid; and the roots are boiled and taken
orally for fever (Eldridge, 1975; Morton, 1970). A popular febrifuge is prepared by
roasting the seed and grinding them with coffee.
Propagation: The species is easily direct seeded, emerging rapidly several days after
sowing. The ease with which it is propagated in this way has contibuted to its importance
as a hedgerow species. However, large amounts of seed are required for mass distribution
during peak planting seasons and adequate supervision of seed quality is difficult.
Despite the species' known self-compatibility, gene exchange between co-existing
subspecies leucocephala is possible and could playa role in the development of less
Table 15.1 Proximate analysis (% dry weight) of L. leucocephala, after Gbhl(1975).
COMPONENT CRUDE CRUDE CRUDE CARBO- ASH Ca P
PROTEIN FIBER FAT HYDRATES
Fresh leaves (Thailand) 21.0 181 6.5 46.0 8.4
Fresh twigs (Malaysia) 27.8 10.4 35 55.1 35 0.54 029
Fresh browse (Hawaii) 24.2 24.2 2.7 400 8.9
Pods (Zimbabwe) 21.7 25.6 1.4 45.5 5.8
Seed (Zimbabwe) 358 11.4 7.5 40.9 4.4