Nutritive contents of <i>Allanblackia floribunda</i> Oliv. (Guttiferae) forage in sylvopastoralism in southeastern agroecological zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Nutrition is one of the major constraints to livestock production in the tropics. This research aimed at assessing the nutritive contents of Allanblackia floribunda leaves from different sylvopastoralism locations in the southeastern agroecological zone of Nigeria: Ikwuano L.G.A. in Abia state, Ikom L.G.A. in Cross River state and Eleme L.G.A. in Rivers State. Leaf samples were analysed in the laboratory to determine their nutritive contents. The results of the proximate, minerals and vitamins analysis of Allanblackia floribunda leaves from Ikwuano, Ikom and Eleme as follows; crude protein: 9.51%, 8.46%, 9.86%; fat: 4.64%, 3.69%, 4.19%; Crude fibre: 17.32%, 15.24%, 17.12%; ash: 5.26%, 4.10%, 4.50%; carbohydrate: 0.46%,0.41%, 0.46% and moisture: 10.07%, 9.90%, 9.60%. For the mineral contents, calcium:14.70mg/100g,14.6970mg/100g, 15.37mg/100g; magnesium: 11.20 mg/100g, 11.33 mg/100g, 10.40 mg/100g; phosphorus: 287.88 mg/100g, 280.53 mg/100g, 290.05 mg/100g; potassium: 217.67 mg/100g, 219.12 mg/100g, 220.13 mg/100g and sodium: 21.07 mg/100g, 21.70 mg/100g, 20.67 mg/100g. For the vitamins, vitamins C: 15.25 mg/100g, 11.73 mg/100g, 14.66 mg/100g; thiamine: 0.04 mg/100g, 0.06 mg/100g, 0.04 mg/100g; riboflavin: 0.06 mg/100g, 0.06 mg/100g, 0.04 mg/100g; niacin: 0.18 mg/100g, 0.22 mg/100g, 0.16 mg/100g. The Anova results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the proximate, minerals and vitamins contents, and such could reflect the variation in the types of soil and water availability in the areas. Generally, Allanblackia floridunda leaves are good source of forage for livestock.

Keywords: Nutritive contents, Allanblackia floribunda leaves, sylvopastoralism, southeastern agroecological zone