Comparative Nutritional Evaluation of Different Species of Prosopis Loppings in Goats

Fifteen adult non-lactating Beetal goats were distributed into three similar groups of five animals each and fed one of the fresh lopping of Prosopis cineraria, Prosopis cineraria hybrid (P. cineraria x P.juliflora) and Prosopis chilensis. Crude protein content was highest in P. chilensis (18.30%) followed by P. cineraria hybrid (13.70%) and P. cineraria (12.36%). Hybrid of prosopis contained lowest crude fibre (16.38%) and total tannins (4.62%). Dry matter intake was lowest in animals fed P. chinensis as compared to P. cineraria and P. cineraria hybrid. The digestibility of DM, CP, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF and cellulose was lowest in animals fed P. chilensis lopping. Therefore, it contained significantly (P<0.05) lower TDN in comparison to P. cineraria and its hybrid. The goats fed P. cineraria hybrid retained significantly higher (6.6 ± 0.3g) nitrogen. Lopping of the hybrid developed by crossing Prosopis cineraria with Prosopis julijlora is better than its parent in DCP and TDN content and can successfully maintain adult non-lactating goats.