E. Chinea

Evaluation of endemic leguminous forage shrubs from the Canary Islands. 1 Germplasm characterisation and forage production

Abstract Four species of leguminous shrubs endemic to the Canary Islands (Spain)—Chamae‐cytisus palmensis (tagasaste), Teline canariensis, Teline osyrioides sericea and Teline osyrioides osyrioides—were evaluated from 1999 to 2000 as a source of animal forage. Two experiments were undertaken. Experiment 1 involved wild populations in the natural habitat on the island of Tenerife including germplasm collection and a study of their phenology. Experiment 2 involved the same species, this time in cultivation with a density of 5142 shrubs/ ha on an experimental plot (La Laguna, Tenerife) situated at 549 m a.s.l. and with annual rainfall of between 338 and 562 mm. Experiment 2 evaluated plant survival, edible green matter/inedible matter fraction (EGM/IM) and production of edible dry matter (EDM) at three cutting heights (30, 50, 70 cm above ground level). Samples were taken at the end of each season during 2 consecutive years. Production of Chamaecytisus palmensis was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at all three heights than that of the three species of Teline, which had similar productions to each other. However, cutting height did not affect EDM production.

Evaluation of endemic leguminous forage shrubs from the Canary Islands. 2 Mineral composition

Abstract From 1999 to 2000 four leguminous shrub species endemic from the Canary Islands (Spain): Chamaecytisus palmensis (tagasaste), Teline canariensis, Teline osyrioides sericea and Teline osyrioides osyrioides were studied as a source of animal forage in two different experiments. One experiment was carried out on a crop planted at a density of 5142 shrubs/ha, located in La Laguna (Tenerife, Spain) at 550 m a.s.l., with an annual rainfall between 338 and 562 mm. The other experiment was carried out on self‐sown populations of the same species in their natural habitat on Tenerife Island. Seasonal variation of the concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Zn and Cu were studied in the edible dry matter of the four cultivated populations; cuts were made at the end of each season. The shrubs studied had adequate levels of K, Ca, Na and Zn for good animal nutrition. Mg levels were adequate in only Chamaecytisus palmensis. Mn levels were adequate in all populations except for the cultivated population of Teline osyrioides sericea. Phosphorus levels fulfilled the animals’ requirements in autumn and winter in only Chamaecytisus palmensis. All the cultivated species had Cu levels too low to fulfil the animals’ requirements.

Evaluation of endemic leguminous forage shrubs from the Canary Islands. 3 Organic constituents and forage digestibility

Abstract From 1999 to 2000, four leguminous shrub species endemic to the Canary Islands, Chamaecytisus palmensis (tagasaste), Teline canariensis, Teline osyrioides sericea and Teline osyrioides osyrioides, were studied as a source of animal forage in two different experiments. One experiment was carried out on a crop planted at a density of 5142 shrubs/ha, established in La Laguna (Tenerife, Spain) at 550 m a.s.l., with annual rainfall between 338 and 562 mm. The other experiment was carried out on self‐sown populations of the same species in their natural habitat on the island of Tenerife. The seasonal changes in crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and tannins, of the edible dry matter (EDM) of four cultivated populations were studied. Cuts were made at the end of each season. Cultivated populations of C. palmensis had higher values of crude protein and OMD but lower values of fibrous constituents than Teline species. Cultivated species T. canariensis and T. o. osyrioides had similar crude protein contents while T. o. sericea had significantly lower values (P < 0.05). Cultivated T. canariensis had NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin levels significantly lower than T. o. osyrioides while T. o. sericea showed higher significant values.