Effect of Leucaena Row Spacing and Cutting Intensity on the Growth of Leucaena and Three Associated Grasses in Thailand

An experiment was conducted at Suwanvajokkasikit Research Station, Pakchong, Nakornratchasima, Thailand, to determine the yield and quality of three different grass cultivars intercropped with leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala).The treatments consisted of three grass cultivars (ruzi, dwarf napier and Taiwan A25) as the main plots, planted between leucaena at three row spacings (1, 2 and 4 m width) as the sub plots and leucaena cutting height (10 and 25 cm above ground levels) as sub-sub-plots.Dwarf napier consistently produced more dry matter than Taiwan A25 or ruzi and Taiwan A25 outyielded ruzi.Leucaena yield was highest in the ruzi plot and lowest in the dwarf napier plot.However, yields of grass plus leucaena were highest in the dwarf napier plot and were lowest in the ruzi plots.The difference was due mainly to the grass components.Increasing the spacing between rows of leucaena resulted in a lower leucaena yield but the reverse was true for the grasses.Cutting of leucaena at 10 cm above ground levels depressed yields of leucaena but did not affect the associated grasses.In terms of herbage quality, it was found that the crude protein of leaves and stems of the dwarf napier and Taiwan A25 were higher than that of the ruzi grass.Leucaena gave higher levels of crude protein than all grasses.The phosphorus and potassium levels of all grasses were higher than leucaena.ADF levels were higher in the grasses than in the legumes.Nutrient contents in the leaves and stems of grasses and leucaena were not affected by leucaena spacing and cutting height.