Nutritional evaluation of some top fodder tree leaves and shrubs of district Chakwal, Pakistan in relation to ruminants requirements

Abstract

The aim of present research was to record out the nutritional evaluation of different fodder tree leaves and shrubs of district Chakwal, Pakistan. The climate of this range is characterized by a relatively low annual rainfall (350-500 mm). Temperature during winter is 4-25°C and during summer is 15-40°C. Top 15 tree leaves and shrubs, i.e Acacia nilotica, Acacia modesta, Albizzia lebbeck, Capparis decidua, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Grawia optiva, Grewia populifolia, Melia azedarach, Gymnosporia royleana, Indigofera gerardiana, Morus alba, Prosopis cineraria, Panicum antidotale, Ziziphus mauritiana and Zizyphus mummularia were identified and analyzed for proximate analysis, i.e; DM (Dry Matter), CP (Crude Protein), CF (Crude Fiber), Ash, EE (Ether Extract) and gross energy. The gross energy of the foliages is almost lies between 16.09 to 17.96 Mcal/kg. The DM, CP, CF, ash EE contents of the foliages varied from 66.17-40.38, 11.12-19.05, 13.91-30.50, 7.19-13.91, 1.44-6.45% of DM, respectively. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2011.