Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia) leaves (cladode) contained CP 13.9; EE 3.2; CF 29.4; TA 5.7; NFE 47.8; AIA 0.3; NDF 59.9; ADF 49.4; Hemicellulose 10.5; Cellulose 26.8; Lignin 22.3; Tannins 5.26 and ADIN 0.69% (31% of total Nitrogen) with an average DM content of 34.6% in fresh leaves. The major mineral contents (%) were Calcium 1.98; Phosphorus 0.13; Magnesium 0.17; Sodium 0.49; and Potassium 0.76. The important trace mineral contents (ppm) were Chromium 4.8; Copper 7.2; Iron 383; Manganese 3.9; and Zinc 51.7. The in situ degradability of DM and OM were 45.4 and 43.3% respectively. Two metabolic trials were conducted on adult bucks and young bucks to compare the in situ degradability to that of in vivo digestibility under two different locations in two different seasons. The digestibility coefficients for DM OM CP EE CF and NFE in adult bucks were 51.8 53.1 34.9 25.8 37.1 and 68.4% respectively. In young bucks the values for the various nutrients in that order were 50.5 51.6 54.9 29.2 32.9 and 63.2% respectively. The mean digestion coefficients of nutrients were DM 51.1; OM 52.4; CP 44.9; EE 27.5; CF 35.0; NFE 65.8; NDF 39.2; ADF 35.2; Cellulose 57.1 and Hemicellulose 54 6% respectively. Casuarina leaves (cladode) have DCP and TDN as 6 1 and 50.8% on DM basis.
Tree fodder, Casuarina leaves, Nutritive value, Bucks
