Abstract #W209

# W209
Nutritional evaluation of leaves, twigs, and fruits of Gmelina arborea as feed resource for ruminants.
Ronke Y. Aderinboye*1, Olukayode O. Showunmi1, Chryss F. I. Onwuka1, Victoria O. A. Ojo1, 1Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria.

Browse species have played major roles as feed alternatives particularly when grasses are of low nutritive quality serving as sources of crude protein in the tropics. Although, the leaves of some browses have been harvested for small ruminant feeding, the pods or fruits have not been extensively utilized. In this study, the nutritional value of the leaves, twigs and fruits of Gmelina arborea was evaluated through determination of their chemical composition, in vitro gas production and digestibility in a completely randomized design. Five hundred grams (n = 6) each of fresh Gmelina leaves, twigs and fruits was harvested from the different tree stands and oven-dried to constant weight for dry matter determination. Dried samples were used for chemical analysis and in vitro studies. In vitro digestibility of leaves, twigs and fruits and their combinations were evaluated. Statistical analyses was done using one-way ANOVA procedure and means separated using Duncan's multiple range test. Results revealed that Gmelina leaves had higher dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) contents (39.07%DM; 15.54%CP) than the twigs (35.26%DM; 10.63%CP) and fruits (34.36%DM; 10.42%CP). Leaves and twigs were higher in calcium and phosphorus content than the fruits. Cell wall fractions were higher in the twigs than the leaves and fruits. The fruits had the highest nitrogen free extract content, higher (P < 0.05) in vitro net gas production, dry matter degradability (63.4%) and short chin fatty acid content. The gas produced from degradable fraction; b was lower in twigs relative to the leaves and fruits while rate of degradation; c was similar for the leaves, twigs and fruits. The combination of leaves, twigs and fruits showed better nutritive value than sole twigs. Chemical composition of Gmelina leaves, twigs and fruits suggests them as a nutritive feed resources for ruminants. The leaves and fruits can serve as potential sources of crude protein and fermentable carbohydrate while the twigs can be a good source of fiber.

Key Words: Gmelina, aerial part, ruminant