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Rate and Extent of Digestion and Potentially Digestible Dry Matter and Cell Wall of Various Tree Leaves

Indian Veterinary Research Institute Regional Station, Palampur, Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh, 176 061, India

ABSTRACT

Effective degradability, potential digestibility, rates of digestion, amounts of digestible fiber, indigestible residue, and potentially digestible cell wall fractions of some tree leaves were determined, using in situ techniques. Morus alba and Grewia optiva had over 70% potential DM digestibility; effective degradability was highest in G. optiva (56.7%). Quercus incana had lowest effective degradability and potential digestibility. Grewia optiva and Bauhinia variegata showed lag time, whereas Robinia pseudoacacia, Q. incana, and Albizzia stipulata had over 10% of the DM as soluble fraction. Dry matter digestion rate was highest (.082 h^–1) for B. variegate and lowest for Q. incana (.020 h^–1). Amount of potentially digestible cell wall was highest for Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (25.54%) and lowest for Q. incana (2.06%) and A. stipulata (2.00%). Potential extent of digestion was 65.7, 50.4, 3.0, and 2.9% for M. alba, G. optiva, A. stipulata, and Q. incana, respectively. Lag time varied from 9.71 h for M. alba to 25.49 h for A. stipulata. Rates for fiber digestion varied from .049 for D. hamiltonii to .007 for Q. incana. The digestion characteristics of these tree leaves reveal G. optiva, M. alba, and C. australis to be superior energy sources for ruminants compared with A. stipulata and Q. incana.