Evaluation of some top fodder foliages of Kashmir Valley Ganai A.M.1,*, Mattoo F.A.2, Ahmad H.A.1, Bakshi M.P.S.3 1Division of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, S. K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar-190 006, (J&K). 2Directorate of Research, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 121, (J&K). 3Department of Animal Nutrition, GAD Veterinary and Animal Science University, Ludhiana, (Punjab). *E-mail: amganai@rediffmail.com
Abstract Eighteen predominantly available tree and shrub foliage were analyzed for chemical composition (proximate principles and cell wall constituents). The study revealed that Ailanthus altissima, Elaeagnus angustifolic, Morus multicaulis, Robinia pseudoacacia and Salix viminalis were highly nutritious having more than 17% crude protein. Crude fiber of most of the foliages was <20%. Wide variations were noticed in cellulose (9.22–32.34%) and hemicellulose (5.40–21.22%) contents in the analyzed foliages. Total tannin compounds were <1% in the evaluated leaves, except for Celtis austrilis and E. angustifolic. Intake of dry matter by the animals and in situ dry matter degradability (DMD) was determined. Intake of dry matter by sheep ranged from 2.62 to 3.78% of the body weight, except for Malus sylvestrus, C. austrilis and Aesculus indica. The DMD ranged from 52.1 to 89.8%. The results indicated that A. altissima, E. angustifolic, M. multicaulis, Populus deltiodes, R. pseudoacacia, S. viminalis and Ulmus wallichiana can be fed to ruminants as a protein source while others can be considered as a supplement fodder. Top Key words Chemical composition, in situ degradability, Kashmir valley, tree and shrub foliage, palatability. Top |