Nutritive evaluation of selected tree leaves as feed resources for ruminants

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive composition and anti-nutritional components of eight locally available tree leaves of Jack, Gliricidia, Venga, Agathi, Desmanthus, Calliandra, Subabul and Moringa. The collected tree leaves were, dried, ground and analysed for proximate composition, fibre fractions and plant secondary metabolites. Significant variation (p?0.001) was observed in nutrient composition among the evaluated tree leaves. CP content (%) was highest (p?0.001) in Moringa (26.94) and lowest in Jack (15.09). NDF content was highest (p?0.001) in Desmanthus (48.16) and lowest in Moringa (32.20). ADF and lignin contents were also lowest for Moringa leaves. Anti-nutritional components varied widely among tree leaves, with higher total tannin and condensed tannin contents in the leaves of Calliandra and Jack, while minimal tannin levels were noticed for Moringa and Agathi leaves. Study, concluded that all the evaluated tree leaves possess satisfactory nutritive profiles and can serve as potential feed sources in smallholder ruminant production systems.