RT Journal T1 NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF SIXTEEN TERRESTRIAL WEEDS FOR THE FORMULATION OF COST-EFFECTIVE ANIMAL FEED A1 Khan A1 R. A1 M. A. Khan A1 S. Sultan A1 K. B. Marwat A1 I. Khan A1 G. Hassan A1 H. U. Shah JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JO JAPS SN 1018-7081 VO 23 IS 1 SP 75 OP 79 YR 2013 FD 2013/02/01 DO DOI NA AB

Nutritional composition of sixteen weeds was investigated to determine their nutritional potential for livestock consumption in Pakistan. Analysis of dry matter, ash, crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, nutrient detergent fiber and crude protein were conducted in Dicanthium annulatum, Cynodon dactylon, Avena fatua, Convolvulus arvensis, Sorghum halepense and Amananthus Viridis. Most of the species were rich in calcium, zinc, copper, iron, sodium and magnesiumwith the highest values recorded in Oxalis debilis, Rumex crispus, Medicago polymorpha, P. oleracea and A. viridis. Overall results indicated that broadleaf weeds possess higher mineral contents than grassy weeds. Results indicate that weeds can be used as a source of nutrients in livestock feeding, which will also help in promoting growth of the major corps. The grasses (A. fatua, D. annulatum and C. rotundus) could be important sources of fiber while broad leaf weeds (C. arvensis, A. viridis, and R. crispus) could be good sources of protein and minerals.

K1 weeds; feed; livestock, terrestrial; nutrients composition, protein, minerals, energy PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2013-JAPS-1015