Melia dubia Cav. leaf fodder in-vitro ruminal fermentation and metabolizable energy vary with provenance and season

Abstract

Cueing the shortage of green fodder, especially during lean periods and other inadequacies in the animal feed fodder sector anddespite an array of tree foliage being used traditionally and advocated scientifically, there is a need to explore more multipurposefodder species with higher digestibility for inclusion in livestock rations. The present study analyzed Melia dubia leaf fodder in-vitrodry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in-vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), in-vitro gas production (IVGP) and metabolizableenergy (ME@24 hours) and to ascertain variation across provenance and seasons (winter and summer). Study revealed significantvariation (p ≤0.05) in IVDMD (47.74–64.97%), IVOMD (86.97–89.88%), and ME (1.35–1.83 kcal) among selected provenances.Leaf fodder of Ahwa (P8) showed higher IVDMD, and higher IVOMD was of Kaprada (P4), whereas the highest IVGP, after 24hours, was for Chichinagawtha (P6) provenance leaf fodder. IVGP ranged from 24.37 to 38.95 mL @ 24 hours. Further, IVDMDand IVOMD were significantly higher (63.47 and 90.13%, respectively) for winter season fodder compared to summer. Whereassummer season leaf fodder recorded significantly maximum IVGP (35.69 mL, at 24 hours) and ME (1.73 kcal @ 24 hours) andcompared to winter fodder. Results revealed that IVGP gradually increased up to 24 hours and then decreased till 92 hours. Theinteraction effect due to provenance and season for IVDMD, IVOMD, IVGP and ME was also significantly different. Studiedindicated that M. dubia leaf fodder digestibility attributes are comparable with many other family tree species, as corroboratedby available published data, commonly fed to ruminants and livestock. Thus, the study illustrated that M. dubia leaf fodder hasgood digestibility and can be used as an alternate top feed fodder source to livestock during the winter season.