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.

Keywords:

• Chamaecytisus palmensis
• forage shrubs
• mineral composition
• Teline species