Nutritional Evaluation of Common Shrubs of Chhattisgarh Plain

Samples of commonly available shrubs (Acacia nilotica, Aeschynomene indica Linn, Desmodium brachystachyum, Mucuna prurita, Sesbania uliginosa, Sida acuta, Urena lobata-L, Ziziphus nummalaria), collected from different locations of Durg and Rajnadgaon districts of Chhattisgarh during winter months, were evaluated. The CP content was highest in S. uligiona leaves and the lowest value in A. indica. Fiber was highest in leaves of Z. nummalaria while it was lowest in U. lobata. The ash content was highly variable. Most of the leaves were rich in CP and Ca while low in P. The leaves of A. indica contained highest NDF, ADF and cellulose content, while D. brachystachyum leaves contained highest lignin with the lowest value in S. acuta. Mean oxalate, saponin and tannin contents (range in parentheses) were 0.88± 0.11 (0.39–1.27), 2.81± 0.28 (1.613.43) and 1.39±0.04 (1.16–1.71) % on DM basis, respectively. The leaves of A. indica, M. prurita and U. lobata were highest in oxalate, saponin and tannin contents, respectively. Mean in vitro digestibility for DM, OM, CP, NDF, andADF were 43.86 ±5.04, 47.38 ±4.58, 35.70 ±2.59, 41.12± 3.61 and 36.33±1.64, respectively. Highest digestibility of DM, OM, CP was for S. uliginosa while that of NDF and ADF for A. indica and M. prurita leaves. It was concluded that leaves of various shrubs have a potential in the ration of ruminants.