Some Observations on Feeding Casuarina Cladode (Leaves) as a Sole Fodder to Growing Bucks

Sole feeding of Casuarina leaves wiihout any supplements to growing bucks caused excretion of dark brown acidic urine with tyrosine crystals. Its feeding in an experimental period of 90 days produced deficiencies of minerals such as sodium, potassium, copper and zinc with marked histopathological lesions in liver, kidney, urinary bladder, intestines and testes. Sole feeding of Casuarina cladode increaaed the eseum levels so total proteins, globulins, SGOT and SGPT with decrease in albumin to globulin ratio in bucks. The liver necrosis and kidney damages were more severe as the days of feeding with Casuarina leaves increased. Casuarina leaves though very much relished by goats has a limited value as a sole fodder without any supplements.