Resumo

PEREZ, A et al. Considerations about Leucaena leucocephala cv. X: A new forage choice for a livestock ecosystem with acid and infertile soils. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2008, vol.31, n.4, pp. 1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

The study was carried out from a search for information through different Web pages, impact journals, other national and international journals, as well as the most diverse information sources, related to the adaptation capacity of the Leucaena genus to different soil types, with emphasis on acidity and degree of swamp formation. The review provided the adaptation limitations of the genus and the species L. leucocephala to such conditions. The discovery of the possibilities of germplasm adaptable to these soil types opened a preamble to find trees for the ecosystems with acidity and humidity, of which Cuba and the Tropic have more than 33% in cultivated areas. International information and research results are provided about varieties of this species, establishment stage, phenology of the plant, adaptation to different soil types, response to pruning and performance with animals, mainly in milk production, as a response to consumption and supply of L. leucocephala cv. X. The results allow to state that cv. X, together with other important grasses and legumes for this type of livestock ecosystem, can contribute significantly to transform the economic, productive and environmental panorama of the zones that show similar conditions. It is concluded that this tree legume can be a god forage tree for acid (pH between 4,6 and 5,1), humid and infertile soils, which provides it with an ecological plasticity higher than the one considered until now. It is recommended that this cultivar continue to be extended to other zones with similar conditions to the ones studied. In addition, its evaluation must be continued in order to propose it as a commercial variety.

Palavras-chave : Leucaena leucocephala; acid soil.