Page 42 - 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”

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Effect of fodder tree species, plant density and pruning frequency on fodder quality
parameters in coconut garden

Reshma M. Raj*. and Asha. K. Raj
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry,
Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala – 680 656
*Corresponding author e-mail: reshmamraj@gmail.com
Introduction

Dairy farming is an integral part of rural livelihood in Kerala It is estimated that the state produces only
60 per cent of the roughage requirement for cattle in Kerala (Economic Review, Kerala, 2010). Hence, farmers
depend on expensive concentrate feeds which reduce their profit to a considerable extent. The suitability of
mulberry (Morus indica L.) and subabul (Leucaena leucocephala Lam.) as promising fodder trees by virtue
of their nutritive foliage and ability to withstand severe pruning has already been reported (Pye-Smith, 2010).
Higher biomass productivity, sustainability and better survival of fodder tree hedges can be ensured through
their optimum management involving judicious regulation of key factors such as tree density and pruning
frequency.
Materials and Methods

A field study was conducted to assess the forage quality parameters like crude fibre and crude protein from
subabul and mulberry fodder banks intercropped in coconut garden, with different stand densities (49,382;
37,037 and 27,777 plants ha ) and harvest intervals (8, 12 and 16 weeks), in all possible combinations with
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split plot design replicated thrice.
Results and Discussion

The result revealed that the CP content varied significantly among fodder trees with maximum in subabul
(30.12 % leaf; 6.07 % stem; 18.61 % total) followed by mulberry (24.29 % leaf; 4.98 % stem;14.27 % total.
Maximum CP content in leaves (28.50 %) was found in the highest density stand (D1), whereas D2 and D3
had lower values which were on par. Pruning frequencies had profound influence on CP content. Harvesting
at shortest pruning interval of 8 weeks yielded fodder with maximum CP content (28.87 % leaf; 8.06 % stem),
whereas harvesting at prolonged interval significantly reduced the CP content.

Conclusion: Establishment and proper management of these tree fodders in coconut garden and feeding
mixed fodders thus offers a cheap source of quality forage to Kerala farmers against the highly expensive
concentrate feeds.

References
Economic Review, Kerala .2010. Kerala State Planning Board, Thiruvananthapuram. p. 235.
Pye-Smith, C (2010). The fruits of success: a programme to domesticate West and Central Africa’s wild fruit
trees is a rising income, improving health and stimulating the rural economy, Trees for Change, no 4, The
World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
Key words-Subabul, Mulberry, Plant density, Pruning interval, Fodder quality

Institute of Animal Nutrition, Centre for Animal Production Studies, TANUVAS
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development 23