Nutritional Evaluation of Tree Leaves of Ayodhya Hills of Purulia District, West Bengal

Abstract

The leaves of leguminous (Bauhinia variegata, Leucaena leucocephala, Butea monosperma and Nonleguminous (Artocarpus heterophyllus, Psidium guajava, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Schefflera sp., Smilax macrophylla, Terminalia tomentosa and Shorea robusta) fodder trees were collected from Ayodhya Hills of
Purulia District, West Bengal for their nutritional evaluation. Mean values for CP, EE, TA, AIA and lignin in leguminous tree leaves (% DM basis) were 17.77, 3.71, 9.67, 0.51 and 6.17, respectively with corresponding values of 11.02, 3.23, 9.23, 0.49 and 5.09 for non-leguminous ones. Significant difference was seen in the CP (%) content of leguminous in comparison to Non-leguminous tree leaves, out of which highest value was seen in L. leucocephala (22.02±1.50) followed by B. variegata (15.88±1.38). The NDF content was the highest (55.03±1.24%) in P. guajava and the lowest (32.62±1.61) in L. leucocephala. Higher gas production was found in L. leucocephala and B. variegata. The mean TDN content was 60.71±1.43 and 60.85±2.21% in leguminous and non-leguminous tree species. Similarly, ME value of leguminous and non-leguminous tree leaves were
2.25±0.06 and 2.26±0.10 Mcal/kg DM, respectively. It could be concluded that tree leaves of Ayodhya Hills of Purulia district have great potential as a fodder source for the local livestock.