Cratylia argentea – review of a tropical shrub legume: Quality and utilization

Abstract

A review synthesizing the research on the quality and use of Cratylia argentea forage to create incentives for its use in animal production systems in the tropics is presented. The species has been extensively evaluated, mainly in tropical America, to develop it as a shrub legume for infertile, acid soils as an alternative to Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium that are not adapted to these soils. This review includes a synthesis and discussion of research findings with C. argentea forage on (1) nutritive value, including secondary compounds, (2) alternative uses in animal production systems, and (3) live weight gain and milk production. The strength of the species is its drought tolerance and high protein content that results in increased milk yield and liveweight gain when grazed in association with grasses, particularly in the dry season. Supplementation of fresh or ensiled cratylia to grazing animals usually results in increased carrying capacity of the pasture and milk yield for cows of medium to high genetic potential. Its deficiency is the low acceptability of fresh forage by animals with no previous experience and high demand for labor when used in cut and carry systems. The issue of low adoption is addressed and suggestions for future research are presented.