Nutritional profiling of multipurpose tree species for fodder quality

Leaves of twenty fodder tree species were collected from Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam and estimated for nutritional and anti-nutritional factors during 2019. High and significant fodder yield (kg/0.5 acre) was recorded for Dalbergia sissoo (27.36) followed by Leucaena leucocephala (24.77), L. diversifolia (23.53) and Gliricidia sepium (19.36) along with high carbohydrate (16.60%) and calcium contents. Crude protein content ranged from 7.43 to 35.0%, crude fat content varied from 1.05 to 4.81% and carbohydrate content varied from 10.40 to 17.20%. The maximum phenol content was exhibited by Ficus religiose (0.24 mg/g) and minimum in Sesbania grandiflora, Dalbergia sissoo and Moringa oleifera (0.02 mg/g). Highest and lowest tannin contents were recorded in Thespesia populnea and Neolamarkia cadamba (0.12 mg/g) and L. diversifolia, Inge dulce and Hibiscus tiliaceus (0.02 mg/g). All the fodder trees exhibited less phenol, tannins and nitrate contents, which are expected to show positive effects in ruminants as feed supplement throughout the year.