Nutritional profiling of multipurpose tree species for fodder quality

Abstract

Leaves of twenty fodder tree species were collected from Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam and estimated for nutritional and anti-nutritional factors during 2019. High and significant fodder yield (kg/0.5 acre) was recorded for Dalbergia sissoo (27.36) followed by Leucaena leucocephala (24.77), L. diversifolia (23.53) and Gliricidia sepium (19.36) along with high carbohydrate (16.60%) and calcium contents. Crude protein content ranged from 7.43 to 35.0%, crude fat content varied from 1.05 to 4.81% and carbohydrate content varied from 10.40 to 17.20%. The maximum phenol content was exhibited by Ficus religiosa (0.24 mg/g) and minimum in Sesbania grandiflora, Dalbergia sissoo and Moringa oleifera (0.02 mg/g). Highest and lowest tannin contents were recorded in Thespesia populnea and Neolamarkia cadamba (0.12 mg/g) and L. diversifolia, Inga dulce and Hibiscus tiliaceus (0.02 mg/g). All the fodder trees exhibited less phenol, tannins and nitrate contents, which are expected to show positive effects in ruminants as feed supplement throughout the year.