Chemical Composition and <I>In Vitro</I> Nutrient Digestibility of some of the Tree Leaves

Abstract

The chemical composition and in vitro nutrient digestibility of 23 different tree leaves were determined by following the newer methods of forage analysis. The percent DM content varied from 17.20 to 49.33, CP from 9.20 to 21.00, NDF from 18.52 to 76.00, cell contents from 24.00 to 81.48, ADF from 13.10 to 67.00 hemicellulose from 2.20 to 25.80, lignin from 4.10 to 14.60, cellulose from 7.00 to 50.50, total minerals from 9.25 to 21.50, calcium from 1.12 to 4.00, phosphorous from 0.10 to 0.60 and silica from 0.30 to 5.20. IVDMD and IVCWD ranged from 50.30 to 91.30 and 20.82 to 64.06 percent respectively. The data so obtained reveal that the nutritive value of tree leaves is at par with the common forages.Some of the tree leaves such as drake (Melia azadarach), pakar (Ficus infectoria), kadamb (Anthocephalus cadamba), and shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) form an excellent feed for the cattle while a few frans (Casuarina equisetifolia), dhak (Butea frondosa)and sukhchain (Pongamia glabra) are poor in nutritional quality. However, most of the tree leaves in general can be utilized for fodder purposes.