Assessing the nutritional value of common tree leaves in eastern Uttar Pradesh for livestock feeding

Introduction

India hosts the largest livestock population in the world, accounting for over 37% of cattle, 21% of buffalo, 26.4% of goats, and 12.17% of sheep globally (Sonavale et al., 2020) [1] . This extensive livestock population necessitates a substantial quantity of feed to sustain production levels. However, current trends and the escalating demand for milk reveal that the availability of feed and fodder is insufficient and likely to become even more inadequate as the livestock population continues to grow. Key challenges hindering livestock production in the country include the shortage of quality fodder, the high cost of commercial feeds, and seasonal variability in forage supply. These issues are exacerbated during periods of scarcity. In addition to its diverse livestock population, India is also home to a wide variety of tree species, many of which hold the potential to contribute to the nutritional security and sustainable feeding of livestock, particularly small ruminants like sheep and goats (Tabhani et al., 2019; Dhillon et al., 2023) [2,3] . In addition to their nutritional benefits, tree leaves are often more resilient to drought compared to grasses and crops, ensuring a consistent feed supply during lean seasons. Their ability to grow in marginal lands further supports livestock rearing in areas with limited agricultural potential. The leaves of these trees can serve as an important resource for livestock feeding (Lal et al., 2023) [4] , but their inclusion in animal diets requires a thorough understanding of their nutritional value. This knowledge is essential for appropriately classifying these leaves and incorporating them into livestock rations. Moreover, gaining insights into the nutritional profiles of locally available tree leaves can enhance the forage database for animal feeding and improve the nutritional quality of livestock rations (Parmar et al., 2022) [5] . With these considerations in mind, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the nutritional value of commonly available tree leaves in Eastern Uttar Pradesh for their potential use in livestock feeding.

Materials and Methods

Samples of ten common tree leaves prevalent in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, identified for their potential use in livestock feeding (Datt et al., 2008; Lal et al., 2023) [6,4] , were collected and analysed. These samples were procured from two districts, Varanasi and Mirzapur, including their adjoining areas. A minimum of five samples from various zones of each tree's canopy were collected during their peak growing season to ensure representative sampling. The freshly plucked tree leaves packed in large polythene pouches were promptly transported to the laboratory and oven-dried to estimate their moisture content. The ovendried samples were then processed following standard procedures for proximate and fiber fraction analysis. The proximate principles (AOAC, 2005) [7] analysed included crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), organic matter (OM), total ash (TA), crude fibre (CF) and nitrogenfree extract (NFE). Additionally, the fiber fractions were determined using neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and hemicellulose, as per the methods outlined by Van Soest et al., 199) [8] .

Based on nutrient content, particularly the levels of highly digestible CP and EE, and the consideration of lowdigestible fiber fractions, the top three tree leaves were identified as optimal for inclusion in livestock feeding programs to support sustainable production.

Results and Discussions

The results of the analysis revealed that the tree leaves under study possess nutrient levels ranging from good to fair, particularly in terms of crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) (Table 1). Among these, the leaves of Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala were exceptionally rich in protein, containing more than 20% CP. Additionally, the leaves of Albizia lebbeck and Azadirachta indica also exhibited good protein levels, making them excellent alternative fodder choices for productive animals, especially fast-growing kids and lambs. These findings are consistent with reports by (Simbaya et al., 2020) [9] , who documented protein levels exceeding 24% in Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala and recommended their inclusion in livestock rations as superior alternatives to mulberry and grass hay. A more or less comparable composition have been reported by earlier researcher for Ficus benghalensis (Tabhani et al., 2019) [2] , Albizia lebbeck, Terminalia arjuna (Patel et al., 2020) [10] and Bambusa vulgaris, Leucaena leucocephala, Azadirachta indica (Parmar et al., 2022) [5] . The variations observed in the composition of leaves could be attributed to biological factors like topographical and climatic attributes (Pugnaire et al., 2019) [11] . The inclusion of Leucaena leucocephala in maize silage has been found to enhanced the protein content of the feed (Joy et al., 2024) [12] . In addition to their protein content, the analysed leaves contained considerable levels of energy-rich ether extract, ranging from 3.42% to 4.67%, further enriching their nutritional profile. Leaves from Bambusa vulgaris, Ziziphus mauritiana, Ficus religiosa, and Terminalia arjuna were found to have moderate levels of protein and ether extract. While these can be cautiously included in animal feeding programs, they are more suitable for maintaining low-to non-productive livestock or during periods of scarcity, such as droughts or floods. However, some species exhibited high levels of less digestible fiber fractions. For instance, the leaves of Terminalia arjuna and Bambusa vulgaris showed considerably high neutral detergent fiber (NDF, >60%) and acid detergent fiber (ADF, >35%) levels (Table 2). In contrast, the leaves of Moringa oleifera displayed reduced fiber fractions, reaffirming their superiority as a high-quality forage option for livestock feeding. Over and above, integrating tree leaves into the diets of livestock can lead to a reduction in feed expenses and an enhancement in nutrient absorption, especially for small-scale farmers. The combination of tree leaves with various feed resources can address nutritional deficiencies and improve the overall quality of the diet. Incorporating these tree leaves into livestock diets can reduce feed costs and improve nutrient intake, particularly for small-scale farmers (Vandermeulen et al., 2018) [13] . Combining tree leaves with other feed resources can balance nutrient deficiencies and enhance overall diet quality.

Conclusion

Based on the current analysis, tree leaves such as Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala emerge as excellent alternative feed resources for livestock in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Their high crude protein and ether extract content, coupled with low fiber fractions, make them ideal for enhancing livestock productivity. On the other hand, tree leaves with lower protein and higher fiber content should be utilized judiciously, considering their biological implications and the specific needs of livestock. Further research is recommended to address potential antinutritional factors and assess the long-term impacts of incorporating these tree leaves into livestock diets on animal health and performance.

References

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