Chemical Composition and Relative Feed Value of Tree Legume Leaves as a Feed Source for Ruminants

Abstract

Background: Tree legumes are a pivotal to meet the nutritional needs to support the productivity of ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and relative feed value of various types of tropical tree legumes as a potential feed source for ruminants. Methods: The study was designed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments for legume tree species and three replications. A1 (Sesbania grandiflora), A2 (Leucaena leucocephala), A3 (Calliandra calothyrsus) and A4 (Moringa oleifera). Result: Variance analysis showed that the species of tree legume had a significant effect (P less than 0.05) on the content of crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), nitrogen-free extract (NFE), digestibility of dry matters (DMD), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV) and not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) on EE (EE). The four tree legumes had protein content above 20.20%, CF below 21.58%, EE below 7.88% and NFE above 33.48%, DMD above 65.00%, DMI above 3.4% of body weight, RFV above 182.74 including good quality feed ingredients. The four tree legumes are potential ruminant feed in the tropics.

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