Plant Animal Relationship Division, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284003, India
Online published on 29 December, 2011.
The chemical analysis of the four species of Zizyphus leaves i.e. Z. oenoploea, Z. zylopyrus, Z. nummularia and Z. jujuba revealed tfaatthe CP and NDF contents were highest in Z. oenoploea whereas ADF content was maximum in Z. nummularia. However, the lignin and tannin contents were maximum in Z.jujuba. Cummulative gas production (ml/500mg DM) at 96 h was higher (P<0.01) in Z oenoploea (57.35 ml) than in Z.jujuba (46.95 ml) whereas it was similar in Z. zylopyrus (50.95 ml) and 2. nummularia (50.80 ml). The fractional rate of gas production (Cg) was also higher in Z. oenoploea (0.024). However, the absolute rate of gas production at 48 h varied significantly among the species. Potential DM degradability was higher in Z. Oenoploea (59.50%) than in Z. jujuba (53.95%) Correlation between in vitro gas production and in sacco dry matter degradation indicates the validation of gas production test as rapid and economical method for the quality evaluation.
