Nutritional Evaluation of Some Tree Leaves of Chhattisgarh Plain

Samples of commonly available tree leaves (Acacia leucophloea willd. L, Albizzia lebbek, Albizzia thomsoni, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus glomerata, Ficus retusa, Terminalia arjuna, Salmalia melabaricum), collected from different locations of Durg and Rajnadgaon districts of Chhattisgarh plain during winter months, were evaluated for their nutritional value. Mean values (range in parentheses) for CP, EE, CF, Total ash, Ca, P and AIA in tree leaves were 12.45 ± 1.37 (7.64–18.00), 2.85 ± 0.23 (1.89–3.75), 15.87 ± 2.63 (6.81–24.91), 14.20 ± 1.24 (10.96–19.17), 2.99 ±0.32 (1.98–4.19), 0.19 ± 0.02 (0.11–0.26) and 0.41 ± 0.25 (0.13–1.34) % on DM basis, respectively. The mean values (range parentheses) for NDF, ADF and lignin were 59.69 ±1.89 (53.69–65.57), 45.63 ±4.62 (24.50–57.09) and 22.98 ± 2.21 (16.25–33.11) % on DM basis, respectively. The cell content was significantly highest in S. melabaricum leaves while lowest in A. lebbek leaves. Cellulose was highest in F. retusa while lignin very high in all the tree leaves. Mean values (range in parentheses) for oxalate, saponin and tannin contents were 0.81 ± 0.22 (0.30–2.07), 3.12±0.21 (2.29–4.07) and 1.39 ± 0.04 (1.24–1.53) % on DM basis, respectively. Oxalate, saponin and tannin were higher in leaves of S. melabaricum, A. leucophloea and A. thomsoni, F. bengalensis, respectively. Mean in vitro digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF of tree leaves was 28.71±1.55, 31.55±1.72, 30.05 ±3.35, 34.08±3.37 and 33.57±2.73, respectively. The in vitro digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NDF was higher in leaves of S. melabaricum, F. glomerata, A. lebbek and T. arjuna, respectively, while the value for ADF was higher in T. arjuna leaves. It may be concluded that tree leaves, evaluated in this study, were rich in CP and Ca while low in P, however, their nutrient digestibility were low.