Efecto de la Edad de la Planta en el Contenido de Nutrientes y Digestibilidad de Leucaena leucocephala

In a semiarid region of Zulia state, Venezuela, we studied the effect of five ages of the plant (42, 84, 126, and 168 days) on the levels of crude protein (CP), in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVDOM) and mineral samples in the fine fraction (pinna, petioles and stems under 5 mm in diameter) of Leucaena leucocephala harvested in the dry season. The experimental design was random blocks with three replications. The IVDOM and content of CP fell significantly at 84 and 126 days, respectively, while maintained their values (P>0.01) at 168 days. The concentrations of minerals Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Se, Co, and Mo were found at appropriate levels, while P, Na, Cu, and Zn were below the critical level of impairment. Only Na increased (P<0.05) with increasing maturity, while Cu decreased its value. This pattern of digestibility and nutrient content of the OM displayed by L. leucocephala, regarding the maturity of the plant, evidence its massive potential as a resource fodder to be used as a food source in ruminants in the dry season, as it allows management in the use of the legume strategically, given its property to maintain nutritional quality within the optimum levels, without the age of the plant and the drought conditions affect it significantly.En una región semiárida del Estado Zulia, Venezuela, se estudió el efecto de cinco edades de la planta (42, 84, 126 y 168 días) en el comportamiento de la proteína cruda (PC), digestibilidad in vitro de la materia orgánica (DIVMO) y minerales en muestras de la fracción fina (pinna, pecíolos y tallos menores de 5 mm de diámetros) de Leucaena leucocephala cosechadas en la época seca. El diseño experimental usado fue bloques al azar con tres repeticiones. La DIVMO y el contenido de PC disminuyeron significativamente a los 84 y 126 días respectivamente, manteniendo sus valores (P>0,01) hasta los 168 días. La concentración de minerales Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Se, Co y Mo resultaron adecuadas mientras los niveles de P, Na, Cu y Zn se observaron por debajo del nivel crítico de deficiencia. Solo Na incrementó (P