Evaluation of different varieties of Morus alba foliage for ruminants

Different varieties (V₁, M₅, S₁₃ and L) of mulberry (Morus alba) foliage were evaluated for their potential feeding value in ruminants. The CP content, 15.8 to 19.9% differed (P<0.05) among the varieties. Readily soluble fraction of DM was lower (P<0.05) in M₅ and local varieties while M₅ variety contained lowest (P<0.05) non-protein nitrogen (NPN), highest (P<0.05) rapidly, degradable (B₁) and intermediately degradable (B₂) protein fractions. The rapidly degradable carbohydrate fraction (A) was highest (P<0.05) in V₁ variety; where as intermediately degradable fraction (B₁) was comparable among the four varieties. Slowly available fraction (B₂) of carbohydrate was highest (P<0.05) in M₅ variety (52.7%) and the unavailable fraction (C) 18.8 (local) to 28.4% (S_l3) was comparable. The Effective rumen degradable protein (EPD), metabolizable protein and ME content varied from 59.2 to 66.5%, 101.1 to 115.2 g/kg DM and 7.4 to 8.2(MJ/kg DM), respectively, among the varieties. It was concluded that M₅ variety of mulberry foliage was superior to other varieties as a supplement, essential for optimum rumen fermentation in crop residue based rations of ruminants.