Evaluation of Nutrient Contents of Gmelina arborea leaves as Animal Feed in the Tropics

Abstract

An evaluation of chemical and mineral composition different forms of Gmelina
arborea (GA) leaves was investigated. Experiment 1 involve the determination of the
chemical composition, mineral and anti-nutrient of green, yellow and brown leaves
of GA. In experiment 2, a free choice intake study was carried out using fifteen adult
West African Dwarf Sheep to determine the coefficient of preference (CoP) of the
different leaves.Results revealed that the chemical composition of the leaves varied
significantly (p.<0.05). The dry matter ranged from 80.15-91.24 % in green and
brown leaves respectively, while the crude protein ranged from 24.4-26.44 % in
brown and green leaves respectively. The neutral detergent fibre ranged from 60.92-
6.77 % in green and brown leaves respectively. Value of all minerals analyzed did not
differ significantly, but was within the tolerable limit for sheep consumption. Similar
trend was observed for all anti-nutrients investigated. The CoP showed that all the
different forms of leaves were accepted, but the green leaves were mostly preferred.
These result showed that the different forms of Gmelina arborea leaves can be used
as feed supplement for ruminants in the Tropics.