ABSTRACT
Gliricidia is a highly palatable crop for the ruminants like cattle, goat etc. It is also found as a fence crop and used as supporting tree for black pepper, as well as shade tree for tea, coffee, cocoa plantations. It forms a broad canopy when full grown. This tree is an important source of green manure, fodder, fuel, etc. In many areas it is considered to be the second most important multipurpose legume tree. Annual leaf dry matter production of Gliricidia varies from 20 to 200 q/ha/year. The plant can yield up to 22 kg of seed per hectare. Leaf contains crude protein 20-40%, crude fiber 15%, ether extract 4.25%, nitrogen-free extract 51.65%, total acid 11.40%, digestable crude protein 14.90%, and total digestable nitrogen 69.20%. Dry matter digestibility varies from 60% to 65%. However, digestibility of low quality feed can be enhanced by adding with this legume.
