Suhail Bhat

Bauhinia Vahlii and Bauhinia Retusa: Fodder Qualities and Nutritive Value Suhail Bhat

Nutrients were assessed by chemical analysis of harvested foliage samples of two Bauhinia species which were harvested from three different sites in middle hills of Garhwal Himalaya. The altitude ranges from 750 to 1100 msl. According to the results, forage quality among two species varies greatly. The mean percentage values for forage quality of B.vahlii are, DM, AC, CP, CF, EE, NFE, OM, SS, SP, N, P, CA, total carbohydrates and total phenols were 40.62± 4.33, 11.28± 1.30, 10.88±1.76, 25.49±2.26, 4.03±0.52, 48.32±3.49, 88.72±1.30, 3.06±0.41, 0.92±0.04, 1.74±0.29, 0.10±0.01, 2.84±0.34, 73.82±1.22 and 1.55±0.29 respectively, irrespective of altitude. Similarly for B. retusa mean percentage values for DM, AC, CP, CF, EE, NFE, OM, SS, SP, N, P, CA, total carbohydrates and total phenols were 44.90±4.81, 9.39±1.66, 17.55±1.29, 22.78±0.96, 4.75±1.93, 45.56±2.33, 90.61±1.65, 2.50±1.15, 0.96±0.02, 2.81±0.21, 0.13±0.01, 3.07±0.23, 68.32±2.72 and 0.82±0.10 respectively, irrespective of altitude. Wide variation was observed in the chemical composition of the Bauhinia leaves.