Chemical analysis of fodder tree leaves found in Sunsari district, Nepal

Abstract

Altogether 55 fodder trees were collected with their local information from Sunsari district, Nepal. Among them, the leaves of 19 fodder trees were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, N-free extract, total ash and mineral contents (K, Ca, and P). Regarding fodder quality, local information and chemical composition do not match for all plants. On the basis of chemical composition 12 fodder trees were recognized as good fodders. On the basis of both local information and chemical composition following trees were assessed as very good fodders: Artocarpus heterophyllus, Bauhinia variegata, Ficus cunia, F. glomerata and F. lacor. Keywords: Tree fodders; Farmers’ assessment; Proximate analysis; Nutrient contents DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v8i0.5701 BIBECHANA 2012; 8: 131-138