Abstract:
This study evaluated the proximate composition potentials of thirteen (13) species of
fodder crops used by livestock farmers in the North-Central Agro-ecological zone of
Nigeria. Leaf samples from each of these fodder plants were harvested at the vegetative
stage from mature plants around Jos, Lafia and Abuja vicinity: five (5) multi-purpose
trees; (Leucaena leucocaphala, Gmelina arborea, Daniella olioverii, Mangifera indica
and Acacia albida), four tropical browse crops; (Arachis hypogea, Manihot spp, Vigna
spp. And Zea mays), and four grasses (Digitaria exillis, Sorghum bicolor, Panicum
maximum, and Andropogon gay anus). Their proximate compositions were investigated.
There was significant (p<0.05) difference in the proximate composition of selected
browse plantfoliage. The DM values range from 91.60 to 88.60%for multipurpose trees,
92.40 to 90.40% for grasses and 91.57 to 83.97% for crop residues, while Zea mays
foliage (83.97%) had least overall DM content. Vigna spp haulm (14.88%) and Gmelina
arborea (15.46%) recorded the highest value for crude protein (CP) with the least value
(6.27%) observed in Manihot spp foliage while the highest value of 13.03% (Acacia
albida) was recorded for ether extract (EE) and the low set value was 5.30%(Digitaria
exillis). Ash content range from 8.67% to 11.67% and the highest value of 10.10% for
non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) was recorded in Mangifera indica. In conclusion, the high
CP content observed in all the crop residues and multi-purpose trees indicates that the
plants have the potential of being used as protein complement by ruminants nourished
low quality grasses especially during dry season. It is therefore recommended that crop
residues and multi-purpose trees foliage among the fodder crops should be used as feed
supplements to feed ruminant in time of shortage of other feed resources like grasses
because of its availability at this time.
