Nutritive Value of Leaves of some Tree and Shrub Species

The leaves from ten multipurpose tree and shrub species (MPTS) viz. Acacia nilotica subsps., Cupressiformis, Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia sissoo, Emblica officinalis, Ficus religiosa, Madhuca latifolia, Melia azedarach, Mortis rubra, Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus nummularia grown at National Research Centre for Agroforestry were evaluated for chemical constituents and in sacco degradation (ISD). The crude protein content ranged from 76.6 to 292.5 g kg⁻¹ dry matter. Organic matter was as high as 951.3 and as low as 842.6 g kg⁻¹ DM. Leaves of M. azedarach and M. rubra had significantly (P<0.05) lower NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemi cellulose than other MPTS. Availability index (%) ranged from 70.81 to 93.82 With maximum in M. rubra compared to other MPTS leaf material. A wide variation was observed (P<0.05) in the in sacco degradation values of different chemical constituents. Maximum ISDMD, ISOMD and cell wall contents were found in M. azedarach and CP degradation in M. rubra, respectively. Chemical composition and ISD of the MPTS leaf materials indicated that most species had potential to be used as protein source to supplement grass or crop residues in dry seasons.