NUTRITIVE COMPOSITION OF LEAVES OF M. OLEIFERA AS ANIMAL FEED

Abstract

Analyses were made to determine nutritive composition of leaves of M. oleifera planted on the campus of Hanoi University of Agriculture for animal feeding. The leaves were cut and analyzed after every 15 days from 6 months of planting. Trunk and dry leaves of Stylo, soybean and Leucaena leucocephala were also analyzed for comparison. Results showed that on an average the content of dry matter (DM) of the leaves of M. oleifera was 19.46%; crude protein, crude fiber, NDF and ADF on a dry matter basis were 21.42, 15.27, 39.35, and 22.81%, respectively. The ratio of Ca/P was 6.8/1. It was revealed from the present study that the leaves should be cut for animal feeding when M. oleifera was 9 months of planting. In comparison with Stylo, soybean and Leucaena leucocephala the leaves of M. oleifera showed a higher nutritive value.