Assessing the nutritional value of common tree leaves in eastern Uttar Pradesh for livestock feeding

Abstract

The present study was planned to evaluate the nutritional value of commonly available tree leaves in Eastern Uttar Pradesh for their potential application in livestock feeding. Tree leaves were collected from Varanasi and Mirzapur districts during their peak growth season, followed by proximate and fiber fraction analyses. Results revealed that leaves of Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala had superior nutritional profiles, with crude protein content exceeding 20% and low indigestible fiber fractions, making them ideal for productive livestock. Other species, such as Albizia lebbeck and Azadirachta indica, also demonstrated favorable protein levels and energy-rich ether extracts. Moderate-protein species like Bambusa vulgaris and Terminalia arjuna may be utilized for maintaining non-productive livestock or during forage scarcity. While high fibre fractions in some species may limit their digestibility, strategic inclusion of nutrient-rich tree leaves in livestock diets can enhance feed quality, reduce costs, and mitigate nutritional deficiencies. This study underscores the potential of tree leaves as sustainable feed resources, recommending further research to address anti-nutritional factors and evaluate long-term effects on livestock productivity.