Effects Of Cutting Interval On The Feed Value Of Enterolobium Cyclocarpum

Abstract

The effects of cutting interval on the rumen DM degradation and CP and NDF contents of Enterolobium cyclocarpum leaves was determined. The trees were cut every 6, 9 and 12 weeks at 50 cm above ground level. Leaf samples taken at the ends of the major and minor wet seasons were incubated for 3, 6, 12, 24, 72 and 96 hours in rumen-fistulated goats. The CP content (average 250 g/kg DM) did not change with increase in cutting interval whereas NDF increased significantly from 450 at six weeks to 650 g/kg DM at 12 weeks. In both seasons, potential degradability (P = a + b) declined significantly with increase in the cutting interval from 702 to 640 g/kg DM in the main wet and 592 to 528 g/kg DM in the minor wet season as cutting interval increased from 6 to 12 weeks. This was more in line with the insoluble but degradable fraction (b) than,the soluble fraction (a) which did not change with cutting interval. Higher degradation parameters were obtained at the end of the major wet than the minor wet season. The results suggest that Enterolobium leaves have high feed value.

Keyword: Feed value, Cutting interval, enterolobium