Cell Wall Constituents, Crude Protein and <I>in Vitro</I> Dry Matter Digestibility of Different Cultivars and of Various Plant Parts of Subabul (<I>leucaena leucocephala</I>)

Abstract

The Cp, cell-wall constituents and in vitro dry matter digestibility of 13 different cultivars of Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) and of various parts of the plant were determined. The per cent CP varied from 19.00 to 26.00, NDF 33.60 to 42.80 cell content from 57.20 to 66.40, ADF 12.10 to 26.70, cellulose 10.80 to 19.00, hemicellulose 10.00 to 27.80, lignin 3.80 to 7.70 silica 0.10 to 1.60 and IVDMD 43.60 to 56.00. Similarly the nutrients composition of various parts of the plant were also determined. The per cent CP ranged from 10.32 to 27.62, NDF 24.20 to 68.70, cell content 31.30 to 74.70, ADF 16.40 to 55.60, cellulose 10.40 to 43.70, hemicellulose 7.10 to 14.30, lignin 5.80 to 12.80, silica 0.10 to 0.80 and IVDMD 34.00 to 69.20. Being rich in crude protein, Subabul (L. leucocephala) can be used as a protein supplement in the rations of the dairy animals.