MINERAL PROFILE OF FOUR SELECTED TREE FORAGE SPECIES CONSUMED BY SMALL RUMINANTS IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The presence of both major and trace minerals of four selected tree fodders in the south-western Nigeria often recommended for use as non- conventional feeds for ruminants was assessed. Fresh samples of Ficus sur, Bridelia micrantha, Gmelina arborea and Albizia saman were harvested from arboretum of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Mineral constituents were analysed using atomic spectrophotometer and flame photometer. Results indicated that B.micrantha recorded least (p < 0.05) Magnessium (0.69%) and Sodium (1.17%) contents with intermediate Phosphorus value of 0.57%, highest Potassium level of 1.80% and copper of 14.83ppm among the selected forages. Calcium content ranged from 3.07 in A. saman to 3.79% in F.sur. However, iron (711.17 ppm), Calcium (3.79%), Zinc (58.67 ppm) and Manganese (139.82 ppm) contents were more in F.sur. Considering the mineral profiles of these tree forage species, they can all serve as good feed resource to ruminants.