Jigjiga University, P.O. Box 1020, Jigjiga, Ethiopia; Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Geta, T., Jigjiga University, P.O. Box 1020, Jigjiga, Ethiopia, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia; Nigatu, L., Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia; Animut, G., Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa and the major limiting factor among others for livestock production is nutrition both in terms of quantity and quality. To curb the problem of feed availability, use of indigenous multipurpose fodder trees would be regarded as good option. In this study, we evaluated the potential yield and chemical composition of selected indigenous multi-purpose fodder trees in three districts of Wolayta zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 28 indigenous MPFT species were identified. The five MPFT species from identified indigenous fodder were important and taken in this study for biomass estimation and laboratory analysis were Erythrina brucei, Vernonia amygalina, Ehertia cymosa, Cordia africana and Dovylas abyssinica. Potential yield of the selected MPFTs ranges from 25 kg for Dovylas abssinica in Humbo district to 959 kg for Erythrina brucei in Sodo Zuria district and vary significantly (P < 0.05) among the selected MPFTs and among the districts. The five selected indigenous MPFT species had chemical composition of 11-21% Crude protein, 8-14% ash, 38-56% Neutral detergent fiber, 33-51% Acid detergent fiber and 9-17% lignin, indicating their wide variability among species (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the indigenous MPFT species can be considered to be a potential source of CP to supplement poor quality roughages to fill the gap especially in dry season. © IDOSI Publications, 2014.