Dual use of leucaena for bioenergy and animal feed in Thailand

Abstract

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Leucaena is a dual-purpose plant suitable for producing both biofuel and feed for livestock (dairy and beef cattle, buffalo and goats). It has a high woody stem yield under repeated cutting and has a suitable chemical composition for excellent heat generation on combustion. Yields of leaf, which is a by-product of this process, are also high and the leaf has high nutritive value as an animal feed. Tarramba appears the highest yielding cultivar available, and many hybrid lines show excellent potential. Plant spacing of 1 × 0.50 m is recommended with cutting not more frequently than once a year. Harvesting of the crop should be carried out as a compromise between the needs for biofuel and livestock feed. On infertile soils application of at least 750 kg triple superphosphate, 188 kg KCl and 188 kg gypsum/ha/yr is recommended. Some limitations on growing and the management of leucaena are discussed.