Reddy et al., 2009. Anim. Nutr. Feed Technol., 9 (2): 155-163

Six metabolism trials were conducted using four male goats (local nondescript breed; BW 13.5 kg) in a crossover design to study the supplementary feeding value of fresh foliage of subabul (Leucaena leucocephala), sesbania (Sesbania grandiflora), acacia (Acacia auriculiformis), jack (Artocarpus heterophyllus), yellow gold mohur (Peltophorum ferrugineum) and cashew (Anacardium occidentale). Respective foliages were supplemented at 300 g/head/day to goats fed ad libitum quantity of Napier Bajra green fodder as basal feed. The crude protein content of NB green fodder, subabul, sesbania, acacia, jack, yellow gold mohur and cashew were, respectively, 10.38, 21.31, 34.44, 15.94, 12.82, 12.69 and 9.69 per cent. Total DM intake (g/day) of goats was 380, 444, 459, 477, 424 and 352, respectively, for the six experimental diets. Digestibility of DM and OM were enhanced (P<0.05) in goats fed on all the tree foliage-supplemented diets, except for that supplemented with cashew leaves. Greatest depression was observed in the digestibility of NDF (38.32%) and ADF (23.86%) when goats were fed on cashew (P<0.05), followed by yellow gold mohur, and jack as supplementary feeds. Based on nitrogen and calcium retention and nutrient intake data, it was concluded that sesbania, subabul, jack and acacia foliage were better than yellow gold mohur and cashew in their supplementary role.