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

The varieties Peru, Vietnam V-360 and CIAT 9421 of Leucaena leucocepha la were evaluated to select those with better performance in a random block design with two replications and three treatments. The areas wer e grazed by 12 Holstein female calves per hectare with an initial live weight of 120 kg and approximately 6 months of age. The gradual growt h of plants was measured at intervals by height, number of leaves, ste ms/plant and weight/plant. The Leucaena rows were associated with Cyno don dactylon nr bermuda 68. One year after sowing, Peru showed a great er 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) a nd differed significantly (P < 0.001) from the other varieties that of fered a similar performance. Two years after sowing, the plants of the Vietnam variety showed the lowest height (164 cm) and number of leave s/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 we ight 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 a n adequate growth. Vietnam and CIAT grew less than Peru and their yiel ds were somewhat lower. The female calves had daily gains of 426 g/ani mal and no toxic symptoms were observed. The grassland used by female caves did not show excessive growth of the varieties. The three variet ies could be used for female calf grazing.