In vitro Degradability of Whole Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber) Fruit as a Substitute for Maize Grain in Goat Feed

A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber, Jujube) fruit as a substitute for maize grain in goats. In an in vitro study, maize was replaced with Z. mauritiana fruit in concentrate feed viz., 0% (C1), 10 (C2), 20 (C3), 30 (C4), 40 (C5), 50 (C6), 60 (C7), 70 (C8), 80 (C9), 90 (C10) and 100% (C11). Z. mauritiana fruit contains dry matter (79.53%), crude protein (7.45%), ether extract (0.17%), crude fibre (10%), nitrogen-free extract (77.92%), calcium (0.14%) and phosphorus (0.05%). In vitro degradability of concentrate mixtures showed significant (P<0.01) decline in dry matter (IVDMD) and crude protein degradability (IVCPD) with increasing replacement levels. Control diet (C1) had the highest IVDMD (83.33%) and IVCPD (86.13%), followed by C2-C5 (IVDMD 76.67-79.33% and IVCPD 78.66-82.73%), which progressively decreased to 70.33% IVDMD and 70.79% IVCPD at 100% replacement (C11). The findings suggest that partial replacement of maize up to 40% is feasible with minimal impact on degradability, while higher inclusion levels substantially reduce nutrient degradability.