The Effect of Acacia tortilis and Balanites aegyptica Trees on Fodder Quality: The Case of Mieso District, West Hararghe, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Acacia tortilis and Balanites aegyptica trees are a multipurpose tree species that produces diverse socio- economic and ecological benefits. These trees are grown commonly on farm land in Mieso district but scientific information is not yet documented about their effect on fodder quality. Thus, this study was initiated to investigate the effect of these two tree species on leaf foliar macronutrients and proximate chemical concentrations for animal feed in Mieso District, Oromia, Ethiopia. Representative foliar samples from A. tortilis and B. aegyptica trees replicated four times were collected. From each sampled tree, fully matured and expanded green leaves in all compass directions from different crown positions were collected and evenly mixed to form 1 Kg of fresh leaves per sampled tree. The collected leaf samples were air dried. After air drying, the leaf samples were oven dried at 80°C till constant weight was achieved. Moreover, the leaf Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fibre (CF), Ether Extract (EE) and ash of the samples were determined. With the regard to leaf macronutrient, only leaf foliar nitrogen concentration was revealed significant variation between the two species whereas among the leaf proximate chemical composition %DM, %CP, %DCP and %CF were showed significant variation (<0.05) between the two species. Thus, A. tortilis and B. aegyptica trees have the potential to provide quality animal feed that contribute to the productivity of the livestock through the provision of their nutritive value of the fodder, and thus, retaining of this tree on farm land with proper management like pruning, pollarding, lopping and crown opening could able to contribute to the livelihood of the community through improving the productivity of livestock.