Chemical Composition, Anti nutritive Substances and in Situ Digestion Kinetics of Four Ziziphus Specie Leaves use as Fodder for Ruminants in Semi Arid Zone of Nigeria

This study explored the nutritive value of Ziziphus abyssinica, Ziziphus mauritiana, Ziziphus mucronata and Ziziphus spinachristi leaves. Chemical analyses revealed that dry matter (DM) ranged from 937.00 to 981.00 g kg-1 DM in Ziziphus spinachristi and Ziziphus abyssinica, crude protein, whereas, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was greater in Ziziphus abyssinica and Ziziphus spinachristi (481.40 g kg-1 DM). Acid detergent fiber was higher in Ziziphus abyssinica and Ziziphus spinachristi (228.30 g kg-1 DM), while, acid detergent lignin was greater (119.60 g kg-1 DM) in Ziziphus abyssinica and Ziziphus spinachristi. Organic matter was higher (910.30 g kg-1 DM) in Ziziphus abyssinica and Ziziphus spinachristi had higher (162.40 g kg-1 DM) The concentration of total phenolics, tannins, alkaloids and saponin was within safe range. In situ DM digestibility was higher (71.29%) for Ziziphus abyssinica, DM lag time was shorter (0.20 h) for Ziziphus spinachristi, and rate of DM disappearance was lowest (0.014% per h) for Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus spinachristi. Based on chemical composition and in situ digestion kinetics, all the browse forage leaves will be of good supplement for ruminants during the dry season. Key words: Ziziphus, browse, degradability, forages, semi ari