ANN 111: Principles of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology (2+1)

TREE FODDERS

Tree fodders form the staple fodder for small and large ruminants in most parts of our country. They enhance animal productivity by overcoming seasonal nutritional deficits. Further, trees can tolerate varied climatic and environmental conditions, propagate readily and can serve as a valuable source of protein and minerals. The non leguminous tree fodders includes leaves of neem, banyan and fig while leguminous tree fodders includes leaves of gliricidia, subabool, acacia, sesbania. The crude protein content ranges from 7-9% in non-leguminous tree fodders to 19-22% in leguminous tree fodders. The calcium content ranges from 1-3 % and phosphorus ranges from 0.3-0.5%. The major constraint in the use of tree fodders is the presence of anti-nutritional factors. Subabool – Mimosine: In subabool, Mimosine is a toxic non-protein free amino acid otherwise chemically similar to tyrosine. Mimosine can cause problems when the forage is eaten in large quantities for a long period. Mimosine is degraded to Dihydroxy pyridone (DHP) in the rumen. DHP reaches thyroid gland and inhibits biosynthesis of the hormone thyroxine. Symptoms includes reduced growth, excessive salivation, loss of hair, eroded gums, enlarged thyroid gland and poor reproductive efficiency. Certain strains of rumen microbes at Australia that are capable of detoxifying mimosine have been identified and are now being inoculated to livestock of other nations to overcome mimosine toxicity.

Mimosine causes reduction in growth, excessive salivation, loss of hair, eroded gums, enlarged thyroid gland & poor reproductive efficiency Mimosine is a toxic amino acid. Mimosine is degraded to DHP in rumen.