Nutritional evaluation of tree lopping based total mixed ration in mithun

A study was conducted to assess the nutrient utiiization of mixed tree leaves (MTL) based total mixed ration (TMR) in mithun (Bos frontalis). Equal proportion of 3 varieties of tree leaves (Debrogesia longifolia, Dacynia indica and Pranus cerasoides) abundantly available in NEH region of India, incorporated in TMR in 40: 60 (TMR₁), 50: 50 (TMR₂) and 60: 40 (TMR₃) ratio were offered to 3 adult Mithun in 3 x 3 latin square design. The MTL contained 15.4, 2.4, 72.9 and 6.44% CP, EE, total carbohydrates and total tannins respectively. The DM intake, digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen was comparable between TMR₁ and TMR₂ except that the digestibility of CF, NDF and ADF was depressed (P<0.01) in TMR₂. However, when the level of MTL was increased to 60% the DM intake as % of BW, digestibility of nutrients and TDN were depressed (P<0.01) in comparison to TMR₁ and TMR₂. The digestibility of cellulose and N retention in TMR₂ and TMR₃ were comparable. It was concluded that MTL could be incorporated in the ration of mithun up to 50% level.