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Potential Use of Multipurpose Paulownia elongate Tree as an Animal Feed Resource

Paulownia elongata (family Paulowniaceae) is economically important as a short-rotation tree bioenergy crop. As a fast-growing tree, Paulownia has also been suggested as a bioenergy crop, potentially useful for both carbon sequestration or as a biomass source for conversion to transportation fuel. In addition to its usefulness as wood and related industrial products, the fruits, wood, bark, roots, seeds, leaves, and flowers of Paulownia have also been reported to have a number of useful medicinal properties. The fallen leaves of Paulownia improve soil quality by increasing organic matter and the nectariferous flowers are rich source of nutritious honey. However, the potential use of Paulownia foliage as livestock fodder has thus far received less attention. 

In this study, nutritional properties of Paulownia elongata leaves collected at monthly intervals from Paulownia Demonstration Plot, Fort Valley State University (FVSU), Fort Valley, Georgia, USA, from April to November, 2011, were studied. The leaves were dried and analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), fat, gross energy, and ash content.

Paulownia trees showed a steady increase in diameter at breast height (DBH) with respect to overall tree height over a three-year period in the timber plot. Analysis of data obtained for P. elongata showed active growth leading to increase in height as well as girth. The CP, NDF, ADF, ADL, fat and ash content ranged from 14% - 23%, 29% - 55%, 18% - 42%, 10% - 22%, 2% - 4%, and 6% - 9%, respectively, indicating that Paulownia leaves have potential as a feed resource for livestock. Forage potential research was followed up by developing protocols to manufacture feed pellets with 75% and 95% leaf component and assessing their physical properties.

In conclusion, the results suggest that Paulownia leaves and other parts are rich in medicinal components and antioxidant activity that may impart additional health benefits to the animal.  More work (feeding/browsing trials) with this multipurpose tree is warranted to determine its palatability and nutritional potential for grazing/browsing livestock.


Article by Whitley Marshay Stewart, et al, from Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA, USA.

Full access: http://mrw.so/4GDkes

Image by Paco Garin, from Flickr-cc.

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