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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. sp3 (2025): Advances in Plant Health Improvement for Sustainable Agriculture

Clonal evaluation of Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) as a superior fodder source for ruminants

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.8544
Submitted
27 March 2025
Published
13-08-2025

Abstract

Enterolobium cyclocarpum, a nitrogen-fixing tree belonging to the family Leguminosae, is known for its satisfactory nutritional traits, including crude fat, crude protein, crude fibre and ash content. The tree's ability to resprout after coppicing and its light-demanding nature at all growth stages are notable. This study investigates the nutritional and anti-nutritional values of leaves of E. cyclocarpum clones (EC 1-6) with EC 1-4 (Bhavanisagar source), EC 5 (TNAU source) and EC-6 (Mettupalayam source). This research aims to evaluate the potential of Enterolobium cyclocarpum as a supplementary livestock feed during the lean season and involves pollarding six clones at different heights (2, 3, 4 and 5 feet) with four replications per treatment. Nutritional analysis of leaf samples from the six clones was conducted using standard methods: crude protein by Micro-Kjeldahl method, crude fibre by the Weende method, crude fat by the Soxhlet method and ether extract by solvent extraction. The anti-nutritional analysis includes the evaluation of total phenols, tannins, saponins and steroids. The study also examines inter-clonal variations across all parameters. Additionally, ICP-MS analysis was conducted to assess elemental composition. This research investigates the fodder quality and palatability of E. cyclocarpum clones, aiming to explore their potential as an alternative fodder source. By addressing the gap between fodder demand and supply, the study seeks to provide a sustainable solution for livestock feed during lean seasons. The findings indicate that E. cyclocarpum clones (EC2, 4) are excellent fodder supplements for livestock.

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