Abstract
A 2 × 4 factorial experiment was used to evaluate the effect of season (wet and dry) and age of regrowth (3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks) on the mineral contents of gliricidia and leucaena. The samples were dry ashed and analysed for nine minerals. Seasonal and age of regrowth effects were significant but not consistent because of significant interaction between the factors. Thus, while K concentration declined in both forages during the dry season, that of Fe, Mn and Zn increased. Different patterns were observed with regard to age and season interaction effects. Within each season, concentration of the mineral either increased with age (Ca, Na), declined with age (K, P) or increased and then declined (Mg, Zn, Cu). Regardless of these fluctuations, the levels of all minerals except P and Cu were sufficiently high to meet estimated livestock requirements. In situations where the forages are fed exclusively, supplementary P and Cu would be required and Ca:P ratios corrected.
