Variations in Proximate and Mineral Composition in the Leaves of Twelve Provenances of Gamari (Gmelina arborea Linn Roxb.)

A study was carried out to quantify the proximate and mineral content in terms of crude protein, soluble sugar, phenol, crude fibre, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the leaves of 12 provenances of Gmelina arborea. Irrespective of provenances, the harvested leaves contained an average of 14.40% crude protein, 16.88% soluble sugar, 0.076% phenol, 13.25% crude fibre, 0.206% phosphorus, 1.44% potassium, 1.014% calcium and 0.561% magnesium. Maximum and minimum crude protein content was recorded as 23.92 and 8.95% in Reti and Damdim provenances respectively. The highest soluble sugar was observed with Lataguri provenance (26.93%) and the lowest was with Atiamocher provenance (9.72%). The crude fibre content was higher and lower in Taptapani (16.55%) and Bhutabari (10.55%) provenances respectively. Among the mineral content it was found that potassium content was more than others. Variability estimates for proximate and mineral nutrient contents in leaf of different provenances was also computed. The differences between phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variability indicated that these parameters are sensitive to environmental changes. From the present investigation it is concluded that leaves of G. arborea vary greatly in their proximate and mineral content depending on the geographical regions and can be fed to the ruminants as an alternative feed resource without any supplement.