Native Belize Legume superior nitrogen fixer in soil.

Intercropping nitrogen fixing legume with grass for cattle and goats.


NATIVE BELIZEAN TREE FIXES NITROGEN IN THE SOIL. CALLED LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA

According to an article in the Agriculture Report by Maruja Vargas, this is one of the top nitrogen fixers for agriculture in Belize and is native to our area.

The tree is pest resistant and acclimatized over centuries. It likes the dry season but is susceptible to water logging if the rains last more than 3 weeks. Known locally as a superior ruminant forage for cattle and goats. It has many, many local uses. Of interest to cattle ranchers, it has the highest quality feed of any tropical legume and the potential to make the MOST WEIGHT GAIN on cattle. Normal browsing will put on 300 kg of weight on cattle with this ruminant. If you irrigate and grow the legume, cattle can add 1000 kg of weight it is said. If you harvest the legume, you can get 20 tonnes in 3 months. Intercropping is the normal application, with ordinary grass. Usually five yards apart alternatively.

Very good article on this native legume in Belize Agriculture Report, Sept-Oct, 2011 issue number 13.