Potential of understorey vegetation in oil palm plantation as forage source for beef cattle feed in Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatera

The study was conducted to determine the potential of understorey vegetation in oil palm plantations as feed source for beef cattle. The study was conducted in Sukadamai Village, Sungai Lilin Subdistrict, Musi Banyuasin District, South Sumatera Province in April representing the rainy season. Plant samples were taken under oil palm tree age at 5,8 and 11 years old. Sampling area were taken in 1 hectare at each oil palm plantation age, each area were taken randomly 9 samples in size 1 m × 1 m quadrant. Samples obtained were separated to determine its botanical composition, then separated into edible and non dible. All the sample were weighed to obtain amount of forage production. Light intensity of the palm plantation were also measured. The lower light intensity causes more varieties of weed (narrow and broad leaves) to grow. Production of palatable fresh forage grow under oil palm plantations was 509.78 g m-2, 76.01 g m-2 and, 381.49 g m-2 which is equivalent to 5.15 ton/ha; 2.76 tons/ha and 3.81 tons/ha, respectively for oil palm tree age 5, 8 and 11 years. Potential carrying capacity for cattle weights at 300kg was 0.27 AU /ha, 0.03 AU/ha and 0.058 AU/ha respectively for 5, 8 and 11 years old oil palm tree age. From the results of this study can be concluded that younger oil palm tree age produced more forage biomass for beef cattle feed and have higher carrying capacity.