PJB-2011-42
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, MINERAL PROFILE AND IN SITU DIGESTION KINETICS OF FODDER LEAVES OF FOUR NATIVE TREES
UZMAN BASHIR CHEEMA1, JAVED IQBAL SULTAN1, ASIF JAVAID1*, PARVIS AKHTAR2 AND MUHAMMAD SHAHID3
Abstract
This study explored the nutritive value of Morus alba, Acacia nilotica, Syzygium cumuni and Ziziphus jujuba leaves. Chemical analyses revealed that dry matter (DM) ranged from 25% to 47% in M. alba and S. cumunii, organic matter was higher (94%) in S. cumuni and Z. jujuba. M. alba had higher (23%) crude protein, whereas, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was greater in Z. jujuba (32%). Acid detergent fiber was higher in S. cumuni (23%), while, acid detergent lignin was greater (7%) in M. alba and S. cumuni. Hemicellulose (15%) and ash content (10%) were higher in Z. jujuba and M. Alba, respectively. Metabolizable energy was higher (10.5 MJ/kg) in M. alba than the other species. Among minerals, Ca and K were highest in A. nilotica, P in M. alba and Mg and Na in Z. jujuba. The concentration of total phenolics, tannins, alkaloids and saponin was within safe range. In situ DM digestibility was higher (90.2%) for M. alba, DM lag time was shorter (0.63 h) for A. nilotica, and rate of DM disappearance was lowest (5.34% per h) for S. cumuni. Extent of DM digestion (98.26%) and NDF digestibility (84.10%) were higher for M. alba. Shorter NDF lag time (0.71 h) and higher rate of NDF disappearance were evident for A. nilotica, but extent of NDF digestion was higher (96.80%) for M. alba. Based on chemical composition and in situ digestion kinetics, M. alba leaves proved the best supplement followed by A. nilotica, Z. jujuba and S. cumuni for ruminants.
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