Nutrient Composition, In Vitro True Digestibility and Methane Production Potential of Fodder Tree Leaves

摘要

An experiment was conducted to estimate the nutrient composition and methane production potential of tree leaves. The highest OM content was recorded in Anacardhim occidentale leaves (96.87%) and lowest value was recorded in Morus alba (86.03%) leaves. EE content of tree leaves ranged from 0.54 to 8.74%. NDF content was the highest in Acacia leucophloea leaves (65.03%) and lowest in Moringa oleifera leaves (19.48%). Lowest in vitro true digestibility was observed in A. leucophloea leaves (41.59%) andhighest value was observed in Millingtonia hortensis leaves (75.59%). M. alba leaves had lowest methane production potential at half life (tVi) (0.21 ml/100 mg truly digested substrate) and highest methane production potential at half life (t!4) was recorded in A. leucophloea leaves (1.98 ml/100 mg truly digested substrate). Sesbania grand/flora leaves had highest (P<0.05) methane production potential at 24 h (2.72 ml/100 mg truly digested substrate) compared to all other tree leaves. Methane production potential at half life (VA) of different tree leaves was negatively correlated with OM content and positively correlated with EE and NDF contents.