Page 154 - Agroforestry system - book inner (final corrected) - 9.-3-21_Neat

National level e-symposium on “Agroforestry system for augmenting livestock
productivity and empowering resource poor rural farmers”

Crude protein (CP) content

Fodder tree species showed significant variation in CP content in the fodder biomass (Table 5). In
general, foliage fraction had higher crude protein levels than the stem fraction for all tree species. Comparing
tree species, gliricidia (24.68 %) was found to have highest CP content followed by calliandra (24.65 %),
moringa (18.86 %), agathi (17.00 %) and mulberry (12.29 %). Raj et al., (2016) reported pruning frequencies
had profound influence on nutritive value of the forage.

Conclusion

The field study to assess the performance of five fodder tree species in the homegarden indicate that
trees like gliricidia, calliandra, and mulberry with good yield/persistence are found to be ideal for hedgerow
planting in the understorey of homesteads. Agathi is not amenable to heavy pruning, hence frequent replanting
is a management option due to its faster growth. Scientific cultivation and management of multispecies tree
fodder banks and feeding mixed forages will provide quality and balanced nutrition to enhance livestock
production at minimal cost in homegardens.

Acknowledgements
This work forms part of the master’s dissertation project of the first author. The field study has been
undertaken under the patronage of All India Coordinated Research Project on Agroforestry, KAU centre,
Thrissur, Kerala and the Kerala agricultural University. The author duly acknowledge the funding assistance
and the laboratory and other facilities provided by Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. Partial funding
from All India Coordinated Research Project on Agroforestry, ICAR is also thankfully acknowledged.
References

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KAU [Kerala Agricultural University]. 2016. Package and Practices Recommendations: Crops (15 Ed.).
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Meera Bai. M. 1997. Production potential of mulberry under different management practices. Ph.D. thesis,
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Raj, R.M., Raj, A.K., Kunhamu, T.K., Jammaludheen, V. and Prakash, A. 2016. Fodder yield and nutritive value
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Sagaran, 2017. Performance of calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) under diverse management regime in
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Institute of Animal Nutrition, Centre for Animal Production Studies, TANUVAS
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development 135