Nutrient content of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) at different growth stages in Blora, East Java, Indonesia

This study aims to determine the effect of harvesting at different growth stages on nutrient content of jack bean plants cultivated in alluvial type of soil at Blora, Central Java, Indonesia. A field experiment was conducted using a completely randomized block design with four replications. Plant in every plot were randomly selected and hand separated. Each component was sampled approximately 1000 g. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (p<0.05). The following parameter observed were nutrient content include dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), dan ether extract (EE). The result showed that growth stages had a significant effect (P<0,05) on DM and CF, very significantly (P<0,01) on OM and CP, while the CF and EE not significantly (P>0,05). DM and CF content increased during the flowering growth stage. On the other hand, the OM content increased as the growth stage increased. However, the CP and EE content decreased as growth stages increased. The vegetative stage is considered the best harvesting stage because it has the highest crude protein content, as leguminous plants are forage plants and an important source of protein for ruminant feed.