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Nutritive value of oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) leaves in pashmina kids
Animal Feed Science Technology 72 Ž1998. 183–187
Short communication
Nutritive value of oak žQuercus semecarpifolia/ leaves in pashmina kids P. Singh a
b,)
, A.K. Verma b, N.N. Pathak b, J.C. Biswas
a
LiÕestock Production Research, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar, Nainital 263 138, India b Animal Nutrition DiÕision, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, U.P., India Accepted 4 September 1997
Abstract In order to find the nutritive value of oak Ž Quercus semecarpifolia. leaves, native to temperate and humid Himalayan ranges Ž29825X N and 79835X E., containing Ž% DM basis. 9.49, CP; 94.86, OM; 4.07, EE; 64.20, NDF; 50.60, ADF; 1.60, Ca; 0.2, P and 4.40, tannins; four male pashmina kids Ž5–6 months age and 12.9 " 1.39 kg body weight. were fed freshly lopped green-leaves as a sole feed for 180 days involving a metabolism trial at the end. The kids, on average, consumed 3.1 " 0.20 kg DM 100y1 kg body weight and 63.5 " 2.59 g DM kg Wy0.75 and grew 27.3 " 0.71 g dayy1. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF was found to be 48.4, 50.5, 51.3, 33.2, 41.1 and 29.1%, respectively. All the kids were on positive nitrogen and negative calcium and phosphorus balances. The oak leaves contained 4.9 " 0.5% DCP and 49.3 " 1.06% TDN. The results indicate that the oak leaves can be used as a fodder source for maintenance and to support a little growth in pashmina kids provided supplemented with minerals. q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. Keywords: Pashmina kids; Oak leaves; Quercus semecarpifolia; Nutritive value
1. Introduction The ever green oak Ž Quercus semecarpifolia. trees, known as ‘Kharasu’ locally in Kumaon hills, dominate the major vegetation cover of the forests in the mid Himalayan range. During lean periods ŽDecember to March., the leaves of these trees are lopped and fed to the animals as a scarcity fodder ŽSingh et al., 1996.. Tree leaves contribute about 32% of dry matter required for feeding of animals in the Kumaon hills ŽSingh, )
Corresponding author. Tel.: q91-0581-442313; fax: q91-0581-457284.
0377-8401r98r$19.00 q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII S 0 3 7 7 - 8 4 0 1 Ž 9 7 . 0 0 1 7 4 - 0
184
P. Singh et al.r Animal Feed Science Technology 72 (1998) 183–187
1990. and thus, compensating to the poor production of natural grasses in wood lands under this ecosystem. Pashmina goats are primarily browsers of high altitudes but they are adapted well to medium altitudes Ž2300–2350 m above mean sea level. of the Kumaon hills Ž29825X N and 79835X E., where the agroclimatic conditions remain cold and humid for major part of the year. The ambient temperature and relative humidity vary from y7.4 to 298C and from 40 to 80%, respectively. The information are lacking on Q. semecarpifolia, hence, present study was under taken in order to generate data on the nutritional quality in pashmina goat kids.
2. Materials and methods Four healthy male pashmina kids of 5–6 months of age weighing on average 12.9 " 1.39 kg body weight were stall-fed individually with freshly lopped green oak leaves at 2.5 kg per head per day at 10.30 AM for 180 days. The residue left in 24 h was weighed and recorded daily. Clean drinking water was provided twice daily. The kids were let loose daily in a paddock for 2–3 h for exercise. Mean body weight of kids recorded before and after a metabolism trial was used for calculating the nutrients intake. At the end of experimental feeding, after adapting the animals in metabolic cages for three days, a metabolism trial of 6 days was conducted involving quantitative collection of residue left, faeces voided and urine excreted. Representative samples of leaves offered, left overs, faeces and urine were brought to the laboratory for aliquoting and preservation for further analysis as per standard procedures ŽSchneider and Flatt, 1975.. For estimation of total tannins, the leaves were dried separately at 40 " 58C in a forced hot air oven. The chemical composition of oak leaves, faeces and urine samples were determined as per the methods of AOAC Ž1995.. The fibre fractions, neutral detergent fibre ŽNDF. and acid detergent fibre ŽADF., were analyzed following the methods of Van Soest et al. Ž1991.. Samples of leaves, faeces and urine were also analyzed for calcium ŽTalpatra et al., 1940. and phosphorus colorimetrically involving molybdovanadate reagent ŽAOAC, 1995.. Total tannins Žas quercitannic acid. in oak leaves were determined as per AOAC Ž1995.. Means and standard errors of data were computed following the methods of Snedecor and Cochran Ž1967..
3. Results and discussion The chemical composition of oak leaves offered and its left-overs is given in Table 1. Comparatively, higher contents of NDF and ADF and lower CP value in the dry matter of orts than that of offered leaves indicated that the leaves were eaten selectively by pashmina kids. The observed chemical composition of leaves was found to be within the range of reported values of Lohan et al. Ž1983., Singh Ž1990. and Singh et al. Ž1996.. The CP content of Q. semecarpifolia leaves of the present study was in close proximity of reported values of other oak species viz; Q. dumosa, Q. coccifera and Q. haÕardii ŽVillena and Pfister, 1990..
P. Singh et al.r Animal Feed Science Technology 72 (1998) 183–187
185
Table 1 Chemical composition of oak leaves Ž% DM basis. a Constituents
Offered
Residue
Dry matter b Organic matter Crude protein Ether extract Neutral detergent fibre Acid detergent fibre Calcium Phosphorus Tannins
49.2 94.4 9.2 3.8 65.0 51.8 1.6 0.2 4.4
51.4 93.2 8.3 2.9 67.4 55.4 1.3 0.2 4.3
a b
Mean of four samples. Content in green oak leaves.
The average voluntary intake, nutrient digestibility and daily gain have been presented in Table 2. The kids, on an average, consumed 3.1 " 0.20 kg dry matter 100y1 kg body weight and 63.5 " 2.59 g kgy1 metabolic body size Žkg W 0.75 . indicating that the leaves were palatable to the kids as DM consumption found to be comparable to the reported intake on oats hay ŽSingh et al., 1996.. Average daily gain in kids was 27.3 " 0.71 g during experimental feeding. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF
Table 2 Average daily gain, intake and digestibility of nutrients Particulars
Mean"SE
Initial body weight Žkg. Final body weight Žkg. Days in experiment Average daily gain Žg.
12.9"1.39 17.8"1.33 180 27.3"0.71
Intake of nutrients Body weight during metabolism trial Žkg. Dry matter Žg dayy1 . Dry matter Žkg 100 kg BWy1 . Dry matter Žg kg Wy0 .75 . Digestible crude protein Žg dayy1 . Digestible crude protein Žg kg Wy0 .75 . Total digestible nutrients Žg dayy1 . Total digestible nutrients Žg kg Wy0 .75 .
17.7"1.03 551.8"49.24 3.1"0.20 63.5"2.59 26.9"2.47 3.1"0.29 277.9"1.78 31.4"0.71
Digestibility (%) Dry matter Organic matter Crude protein Ether extract Neutral detergent fibre Acid detergent fibre
48.4"0.71 50.5"0.97 51.3"1.12 33.2"3.39 41.1"0.78 29.1"0.44
186
P. Singh et al.r Animal Feed Science Technology 72 (1998) 183–187
Table 3 Average daily retention Žg dayy1 . of various nutrients Particulars
Nitrogen
Calcium
Phosphorus
Total intake Faecal outgo Urinary excretion Retention
8.40"0.75 4.10"0.64 3.20"0.32 q1.10"0.15
9.40"0.46 10.10"0.46 0.21"0.12 y0.91"0.70
1.20"0.07 1.50"0.07 0.07"0.05 y0.37"0.06
and ADF was 48.4, 50.5, 51.3, 33.2, 41.1 and 29.1%, respectively. However, the digestibility of EE was substantially lower probably due to the presence of indigestible waxes in oak leaves. The average retention of different nutrients is given in Table 3. The balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus was found to be q1.1, y0.91 and y0.37 g dayy1 , respectively. The content of Ca in offered oak leaves was ample, however, its negative balance in pashmina kids might be either due to wider ratio of Ca and P Ž8:1. or phenolic compounds present in oak leaves ŽMakkar et al., 1987.. Hence, the negative balance of Ca and P revealed that oak leaves offered were deficient in Ca and P, therefore, oak leaves feeding indispensably requires minerals supplementation. The oak leaves on dry matter basis contained 4.9 and 49.3% DCP and TDN, respectively and furnished 26.9 g DCP and 271.9 g TDN as against the stipulated requirements of 30 g DCP and 350 g TDN dayy1 for a goat weighing 15 kg and gaining 50 g dayy1 ŽICAR, 1985.. The feeding of oak leaves solely, therefore, could not sufficiently meet the nutrient requirements of growing kids. However, the stipulated maintenance requirement as per NRC Ž1981. can fully be meet out when oak leaves are solely fed to the kids Ž21.5 g DCP and 213.7 g TDN for 15-kg kid..
4. Conclusion The results showed that oak leaves are palatable and nutritious to pashmina kids and can furnish the nutrients more than maintenance requirements, provided minerals are supplemented.
References AOAC, 1995. Animal feeds. In: Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International, Vol. I Ž16th edn... A.O.A.C. International, VA, 22201-3301, USA, pp. 1–18. ICAR, 1985. Nutrient Requirements of Livestock and Poultry. Indian Council of Agricultural Research. New Delhi, India. Lohan, O.P., Lall, D., Vaid, J., Negi, S.S., 1983. Utilisation of oak tree Ž Quercus incana. fodder in cattle rations and fate of oak leaf tannins in the ruminant systems. Ind. J. Anim. Sci. 53, 1057–1063. Makkar, H.P.S., Singh, B., Dawra, R.K., 1987. Tannin nutrient interactions: a review. Int. J. Anim. Sci. 2, 127–140. NRC, 1981. Nutrient Requirements of Goats. Angora, Dairy and Meat Goats in Temperate and Tropical Countries. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.
P. Singh et al.r Animal Feed Science Technology 72 (1998) 183–187
187
Schneider, B.H., Flatt, W.P., 1975. Evaluation of Feeds Through Digestibility Experiments. The Univ. of Georgia Press, Athens, pp. 57–78. Singh, H.S., 1990. Madhya Himalaya men Chara Shroton ka Vikas ŽDevelopment of Fodder Resources in Middle Himalaya.. District Rural Engineering Development Department, Alomora, U.P. India, p. 24. Singh, P., Biswas, J.C., Somvanshi, R., Verma, A.K., Deb, S.M., Dey, R.A., 1996. Performance of pashmina Žcheghu. goats fed on oak Ž Quercus semecarpifolia. leaves. Small Rumin. Res. 22, 123–130. Snedecor, G.W., Cochran, W.G., 1967. Statistical Methods Ž6th edn... Oxford and IBH, Calcutta, pp. 258–298. Talpatra, S.K., Ray, S.C., Sen, K.C., 1940. The analysis of mineral constituents in biological materials: I. Estimation of phosphorus, chlorides, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium in foodstuff. Ind. J. Vet. Sci. Anim. Husb. 10, 243–258. Van Soest, P.J., Robertson, J.B., Lewis, B.A., 1991. Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J. Dairy Sci. 74, 3583–3597. Villena, F., Pfister, J.A., 1990. Sand Shinnery oak as forage for Angora and Spanish goats. J. Range Manage. 43, 116–122.
Short communication
Nutritive value of oak žQuercus semecarpifolia/ leaves in pashmina kids P. Singh a
b,)
, A.K. Verma b, N.N. Pathak b, J.C. Biswas
a
LiÕestock Production Research, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar, Nainital 263 138, India b Animal Nutrition DiÕision, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, U.P., India Accepted 4 September 1997
Abstract In order to find the nutritive value of oak Ž Quercus semecarpifolia. leaves, native to temperate and humid Himalayan ranges Ž29825X N and 79835X E., containing Ž% DM basis. 9.49, CP; 94.86, OM; 4.07, EE; 64.20, NDF; 50.60, ADF; 1.60, Ca; 0.2, P and 4.40, tannins; four male pashmina kids Ž5–6 months age and 12.9 " 1.39 kg body weight. were fed freshly lopped green-leaves as a sole feed for 180 days involving a metabolism trial at the end. The kids, on average, consumed 3.1 " 0.20 kg DM 100y1 kg body weight and 63.5 " 2.59 g DM kg Wy0.75 and grew 27.3 " 0.71 g dayy1. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF was found to be 48.4, 50.5, 51.3, 33.2, 41.1 and 29.1%, respectively. All the kids were on positive nitrogen and negative calcium and phosphorus balances. The oak leaves contained 4.9 " 0.5% DCP and 49.3 " 1.06% TDN. The results indicate that the oak leaves can be used as a fodder source for maintenance and to support a little growth in pashmina kids provided supplemented with minerals. q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. Keywords: Pashmina kids; Oak leaves; Quercus semecarpifolia; Nutritive value
1. Introduction The ever green oak Ž Quercus semecarpifolia. trees, known as ‘Kharasu’ locally in Kumaon hills, dominate the major vegetation cover of the forests in the mid Himalayan range. During lean periods ŽDecember to March., the leaves of these trees are lopped and fed to the animals as a scarcity fodder ŽSingh et al., 1996.. Tree leaves contribute about 32% of dry matter required for feeding of animals in the Kumaon hills ŽSingh, )
Corresponding author. Tel.: q91-0581-442313; fax: q91-0581-457284.
0377-8401r98r$19.00 q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII S 0 3 7 7 - 8 4 0 1 Ž 9 7 . 0 0 1 7 4 - 0
184
P. Singh et al.r Animal Feed Science Technology 72 (1998) 183–187
1990. and thus, compensating to the poor production of natural grasses in wood lands under this ecosystem. Pashmina goats are primarily browsers of high altitudes but they are adapted well to medium altitudes Ž2300–2350 m above mean sea level. of the Kumaon hills Ž29825X N and 79835X E., where the agroclimatic conditions remain cold and humid for major part of the year. The ambient temperature and relative humidity vary from y7.4 to 298C and from 40 to 80%, respectively. The information are lacking on Q. semecarpifolia, hence, present study was under taken in order to generate data on the nutritional quality in pashmina goat kids.
2. Materials and methods Four healthy male pashmina kids of 5–6 months of age weighing on average 12.9 " 1.39 kg body weight were stall-fed individually with freshly lopped green oak leaves at 2.5 kg per head per day at 10.30 AM for 180 days. The residue left in 24 h was weighed and recorded daily. Clean drinking water was provided twice daily. The kids were let loose daily in a paddock for 2–3 h for exercise. Mean body weight of kids recorded before and after a metabolism trial was used for calculating the nutrients intake. At the end of experimental feeding, after adapting the animals in metabolic cages for three days, a metabolism trial of 6 days was conducted involving quantitative collection of residue left, faeces voided and urine excreted. Representative samples of leaves offered, left overs, faeces and urine were brought to the laboratory for aliquoting and preservation for further analysis as per standard procedures ŽSchneider and Flatt, 1975.. For estimation of total tannins, the leaves were dried separately at 40 " 58C in a forced hot air oven. The chemical composition of oak leaves, faeces and urine samples were determined as per the methods of AOAC Ž1995.. The fibre fractions, neutral detergent fibre ŽNDF. and acid detergent fibre ŽADF., were analyzed following the methods of Van Soest et al. Ž1991.. Samples of leaves, faeces and urine were also analyzed for calcium ŽTalpatra et al., 1940. and phosphorus colorimetrically involving molybdovanadate reagent ŽAOAC, 1995.. Total tannins Žas quercitannic acid. in oak leaves were determined as per AOAC Ž1995.. Means and standard errors of data were computed following the methods of Snedecor and Cochran Ž1967..
3. Results and discussion The chemical composition of oak leaves offered and its left-overs is given in Table 1. Comparatively, higher contents of NDF and ADF and lower CP value in the dry matter of orts than that of offered leaves indicated that the leaves were eaten selectively by pashmina kids. The observed chemical composition of leaves was found to be within the range of reported values of Lohan et al. Ž1983., Singh Ž1990. and Singh et al. Ž1996.. The CP content of Q. semecarpifolia leaves of the present study was in close proximity of reported values of other oak species viz; Q. dumosa, Q. coccifera and Q. haÕardii ŽVillena and Pfister, 1990..
P. Singh et al.r Animal Feed Science Technology 72 (1998) 183–187
185
Table 1 Chemical composition of oak leaves Ž% DM basis. a Constituents
Offered
Residue
Dry matter b Organic matter Crude protein Ether extract Neutral detergent fibre Acid detergent fibre Calcium Phosphorus Tannins
49.2 94.4 9.2 3.8 65.0 51.8 1.6 0.2 4.4
51.4 93.2 8.3 2.9 67.4 55.4 1.3 0.2 4.3
a b
Mean of four samples. Content in green oak leaves.
The average voluntary intake, nutrient digestibility and daily gain have been presented in Table 2. The kids, on an average, consumed 3.1 " 0.20 kg dry matter 100y1 kg body weight and 63.5 " 2.59 g kgy1 metabolic body size Žkg W 0.75 . indicating that the leaves were palatable to the kids as DM consumption found to be comparable to the reported intake on oats hay ŽSingh et al., 1996.. Average daily gain in kids was 27.3 " 0.71 g during experimental feeding. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF
Table 2 Average daily gain, intake and digestibility of nutrients Particulars
Mean"SE
Initial body weight Žkg. Final body weight Žkg. Days in experiment Average daily gain Žg.
12.9"1.39 17.8"1.33 180 27.3"0.71
Intake of nutrients Body weight during metabolism trial Žkg. Dry matter Žg dayy1 . Dry matter Žkg 100 kg BWy1 . Dry matter Žg kg Wy0 .75 . Digestible crude protein Žg dayy1 . Digestible crude protein Žg kg Wy0 .75 . Total digestible nutrients Žg dayy1 . Total digestible nutrients Žg kg Wy0 .75 .
17.7"1.03 551.8"49.24 3.1"0.20 63.5"2.59 26.9"2.47 3.1"0.29 277.9"1.78 31.4"0.71
Digestibility (%) Dry matter Organic matter Crude protein Ether extract Neutral detergent fibre Acid detergent fibre
48.4"0.71 50.5"0.97 51.3"1.12 33.2"3.39 41.1"0.78 29.1"0.44
186
P. Singh et al.r Animal Feed Science Technology 72 (1998) 183–187
Table 3 Average daily retention Žg dayy1 . of various nutrients Particulars
Nitrogen
Calcium
Phosphorus
Total intake Faecal outgo Urinary excretion Retention
8.40"0.75 4.10"0.64 3.20"0.32 q1.10"0.15
9.40"0.46 10.10"0.46 0.21"0.12 y0.91"0.70
1.20"0.07 1.50"0.07 0.07"0.05 y0.37"0.06
and ADF was 48.4, 50.5, 51.3, 33.2, 41.1 and 29.1%, respectively. However, the digestibility of EE was substantially lower probably due to the presence of indigestible waxes in oak leaves. The average retention of different nutrients is given in Table 3. The balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus was found to be q1.1, y0.91 and y0.37 g dayy1 , respectively. The content of Ca in offered oak leaves was ample, however, its negative balance in pashmina kids might be either due to wider ratio of Ca and P Ž8:1. or phenolic compounds present in oak leaves ŽMakkar et al., 1987.. Hence, the negative balance of Ca and P revealed that oak leaves offered were deficient in Ca and P, therefore, oak leaves feeding indispensably requires minerals supplementation. The oak leaves on dry matter basis contained 4.9 and 49.3% DCP and TDN, respectively and furnished 26.9 g DCP and 271.9 g TDN as against the stipulated requirements of 30 g DCP and 350 g TDN dayy1 for a goat weighing 15 kg and gaining 50 g dayy1 ŽICAR, 1985.. The feeding of oak leaves solely, therefore, could not sufficiently meet the nutrient requirements of growing kids. However, the stipulated maintenance requirement as per NRC Ž1981. can fully be meet out when oak leaves are solely fed to the kids Ž21.5 g DCP and 213.7 g TDN for 15-kg kid..
4. Conclusion The results showed that oak leaves are palatable and nutritious to pashmina kids and can furnish the nutrients more than maintenance requirements, provided minerals are supplemented.
References AOAC, 1995. Animal feeds. In: Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International, Vol. I Ž16th edn... A.O.A.C. International, VA, 22201-3301, USA, pp. 1–18. ICAR, 1985. Nutrient Requirements of Livestock and Poultry. Indian Council of Agricultural Research. New Delhi, India. Lohan, O.P., Lall, D., Vaid, J., Negi, S.S., 1983. Utilisation of oak tree Ž Quercus incana. fodder in cattle rations and fate of oak leaf tannins in the ruminant systems. Ind. J. Anim. Sci. 53, 1057–1063. Makkar, H.P.S., Singh, B., Dawra, R.K., 1987. Tannin nutrient interactions: a review. Int. J. Anim. Sci. 2, 127–140. NRC, 1981. Nutrient Requirements of Goats. Angora, Dairy and Meat Goats in Temperate and Tropical Countries. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.
P. Singh et al.r Animal Feed Science Technology 72 (1998) 183–187
187
Schneider, B.H., Flatt, W.P., 1975. Evaluation of Feeds Through Digestibility Experiments. The Univ. of Georgia Press, Athens, pp. 57–78. Singh, H.S., 1990. Madhya Himalaya men Chara Shroton ka Vikas ŽDevelopment of Fodder Resources in Middle Himalaya.. District Rural Engineering Development Department, Alomora, U.P. India, p. 24. Singh, P., Biswas, J.C., Somvanshi, R., Verma, A.K., Deb, S.M., Dey, R.A., 1996. Performance of pashmina Žcheghu. goats fed on oak Ž Quercus semecarpifolia. leaves. Small Rumin. Res. 22, 123–130. Snedecor, G.W., Cochran, W.G., 1967. Statistical Methods Ž6th edn... Oxford and IBH, Calcutta, pp. 258–298. Talpatra, S.K., Ray, S.C., Sen, K.C., 1940. The analysis of mineral constituents in biological materials: I. Estimation of phosphorus, chlorides, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium in foodstuff. Ind. J. Vet. Sci. Anim. Husb. 10, 243–258. Van Soest, P.J., Robertson, J.B., Lewis, B.A., 1991. Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J. Dairy Sci. 74, 3583–3597. Villena, F., Pfister, J.A., 1990. Sand Shinnery oak as forage for Angora and Spanish goats. J. Range Manage. 43, 116–122.