Nurtritional evaluation of green poplar (Populus deltoides) foliage in sheep Ganai A.M.1, Ahmad H.A.1, Bhat Javeed I. A.1,2, Bilal S.1,2 1Division of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, J&K, 190006 2Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, J&K, 190006. E-mail: amganainutr@yahoo.co.in
Abstract Poplar (Populus deltoides) foliage was analyzed for chemical composition and nutritive value in order to utilize this available material as an alternative feed during critical periods. The average chemical composition on percent dry matter basis was crude protein (CP) 14.13, ether extract (EE) 3.50, crude fiber (CF) 18.50, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) 52.11, acid detergent fiber (ADF) 36.36, acid detergent lignin 10.56, total ash 13.25,calcium 3.90, phosphorus 0.23 and total tannins 0.69. The leaves were fed to six healthy ‘Corriedale’ rams of 2 years age and 44 kg body weight for 4 weeks followed by a 5 day metabolic trial. The leaves contained 7.84±0.34% digestible crude protein (DCP) and 59.61±0.70% total digestible nutrients (TDN). The percent dry matter (DM) intake was 3.78±0.19 kg (97.26±2.94 g kg−1w0.75). The digestibility coefficients for proximate principles viz. CP, EE, CF and NFE were 55.50±3.02, 58.53±3.79, 62.29±2.16 and 70.74±1.94, respectively. Whereas the digestibility coefficients for cell wall components viz. NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose were 54.32±2.17, 47.33±1.11, 68.20±2.16 and 65.11±1.22, respectively. All the animals were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. Blood parameters were within normal range. There was decrease in blood urea level and increase in creatinine and alkaline phosphatase activity after feeding of poplar leaves. The study revealed that poplar leaves are palatable so can be used either as an alternative source for the maintenance diet of adult sheep or incorporated in the concentrate mixture without any loss in live weight and health status of sheep. Top Key words Blood parameters, digestibility, poplar leaves, Populus deltoides, proximate composition, sheep. Top |