Nutritional evaluation of leaf fodder from tropical shrubs

Abstract

Mature leaves of shrubs from the Bundelkhand region were analysed for chemical composition and in sacco nutrient degradability. The CP content of shrubs varied widely (7.7-16.9%) and NDF and ADF levels ranged between 40-50 and 20-30%, respectively. Lignin varied from 4.4 to 20.6%. Condensed tannin was generally low (< 5%) but in Ziziphus xylopyrus (12.9%), ichnocarpus frutescens (11.1%), Carissa spinarum (10.1%), Dichrostachys cineria (8.0%) it was higher. Degradability of DM ranged between 60·80%. In sacco CP degradability was lowest in Ehretia aspera (32.4%) and highest in Securinega virosa (85.0%). In-sacco degradability of NDF and ADF varied between 23.7-71.4% and 10.5· 61.0% respectively. A positive correlation was noted between CP content and in-sacco nutrient degradability while NDF, ADF, lignin and condensed tannin content showed negative correlation with nutrient digestibility. Based on chemical composition and in sacco nutrient degradability, the shrubs, viz. Securinega virosa, May tenus emarginata, Flacourtia indica, Ziziphus oenoplea were promising for incorporation in the diet.