MULBERRY AS AN ALTERNATE FEED FOR LIVESTOCK
Mulberry belongs to the genus Morus, of family Moraceae. It is reported that mulberry consists of more than 20 species and several subspecies or varieties. Mulberry has been cultivated in many countries for a very long time with the sole purpose of feeding the monophagous silkworm Bombyx mori L. In addition to the major utilization of mulberry leaves as silkworm feed, it is being used for many other purposes, for which it is called as Kalpavriksha. The modern interest on the cultivation and use of mulberry for animal feed and medicinal uses has been started due to search for alternative uses of mulberry once the sericulture decayed due to competition from foreign countries in case of Japan and Italy (Machii 2000,Cappellozza 2000). In addition to the major utilization of leaves as silkworm feed, they have many excellent and beneficial functions to do. This has opened a new vista to think about other uses of mulberry apart from silkworm feed.
In India, fodder is cultivated only 4 to 5 per cent of total cultivated area. The available green fodder is not sufficient to meet the actual requirement of green fodder to the livestock. At present green and dry fodder deficit in our country is fodder available for feeding the livestock is 32 and 23 per cent respectively. In the developing countries, crop residues like paddy straw, sorghum stover and legume stover, haulms etc., are fed to animals due to non-availability of green fodders. Generally, crop residues are having poor nutritive value and will not increase the animal productivity and leads to poor performance and indirectly affects animal health. In most of the places concentrate feeds are provided for cattle to increase the milk yield, but the diet is not balanced and also increases the feed cost and affect the income of the farmers. Hence, in order to increase the green fodder availability, fodder trees can be cultivated on boundaries, farm bunds, waste lands, backyards, road sides, edges of the pond, canal etc. Trees can able to produce higher green fodder per unit land area. Trees require less water when compared to annual fodder crops. It can extract water from deeper layers and able to withstand drought than other agricultural fodder crops. Trees also requires less inputs in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and labour, as are needed high for growing of agricultural crops.
Of all the tree species used as fodder, mulberry (Morus sp.) occupies a significant place as it grows anywhere, either in the form of a tree or shrub. Mulberry is being cultivated for rearing silkworm in China, India and other countries. Apart from this, used as animal feed for a long time.
| Nutrient | Composition |
| Dry matter % | 28.4 |
| Moisture % | 71-75 |
| Crude Protein % | 5-10 |
| Crude Fat % | 0.64-1.50 |
| Total Ash % | 4.50 |
| Crude fibre % | 9.90-13.85 |
| Carbohydrates % | 8-13 |
| Energy Kcal/100 g | 69-86 |
| Neutral Detergent Fibre (PDF) % | 8-11 |
| Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) % | 3.40-8.10 |
| Hemicellulose % | 2.50-12.80 |
| Ascorbic acid, mg/100 g | 160-280 |
| β-carotene, mg/100 g | 10.000-14.688 |
| Iron mg/100 g | 4.70-10.40 |
| Zinc mg/100 g | 0.22-1.12 |
| Calcium mg/100 g | 380-786 |
Plant description:
Mulberry is a fast-growing deciduous woody perennial plant. The form of the tree can vary from pyramidal to drooping. It has a deep root system.
Stems: Its sparsely pubescent stems are sub-erect and woody at the base and may be up to 5 m long.
Leaves: The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, and often lobed and serrated on the margin. Lobes are more common on juvenile shoots than on mature trees.[2][4] The trees can be monoecious or dioecious.
Flowers and Fruits: Flowers are borne in the axils of leaves. Mulberry fruit is a multiple, about 2–3 cm long. Fruits are collective, fleshy, white, lavender, deep red to black and has a sweet flavour when fully ripe.
Fig 1. Field view of Mulberry
Distribution of mulberry
Mulberry can be grown successfully in all conditions, even in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates. It can survive with rainfall ranging from 400-4500 mm per annum. Although the optimum temperature for growth is between 18 and 30°C, mulberry can survive even when the temperature goes beyond 48°C or below 0°C.
Soil: Mulberry grows well in soils that are flat, deep, fertile, well drained and loamy to clayey. The ideal range of soil pH is 6.2 to 6.8.
Propagation: It can be established by seeds or cuttings.
Sowing: Seeds can be sown directly or in containers.
Cuttings: Should be 30-60 cm long with brownish green bark and cut at a 45-degree angle at both ends.
Transplanting: Plant the cuttings/saplings at a spacing of 60 x 60 cm or 90 x 90 cm.
Time of planting:
- Plant during rainy season
- Avoid planting during winter and summer months
Fertilizer: Recommended dose of fertilizer for irrigated crop is 300:120:120 kg NPK/ha.
Forage Management: Mulberry can be harvested 3-4 months after planting, this is followed by a cutting interval of 6-8 weeks. When harvesting, it is important that the branches be cut in an upward direction, this will prevent any stripping of the bark that will cause fungal infections. Mulberry could have a dry matter yield between 2-47 tonnes/year/hectare providing there are favourable growing conditions.
Nutrient composition of fresh mulberry leaves
Mulberry as animal feed
Mulberry is excellent forage for both ruminant animals and monogastric animals during its young shrub stage (Sánchez 2002). Mulberry leaf supplementation can improve the efficiency of the whole diet. It can be considered as a perennial source of feed for most of the year.
Mulberry has been shown as ideal forage to replace commercial concentrates. A normal standard for feeding small ruminants is to feed a 4% of the body weight of the animal on a dry matter basis.
For example:
- According to the table above the average dry matter of Mulberry is 28.4% which means that 100 Kg of fresh Mulberry contains approximately 28.4 kg of dry matter and 71.6 kg of water.
- A 100 kg animal would require 4 kg DM and Mulberry should comprise up to 20% of the daily intake therefore will be 20% of 4 Kg is 0.8 kg DM.
- To provide 0.8 kg DM of Mulberry would require 100/28.4*0.8= 2.8 kg of wet Mulberry leaves to be fed.
Mature small ruminants should be fed 2.5% body weight on a dry matter basis.
Source: Srivastava et al. (2006)
Fig 2. Feeding of mulberry leaves to Goats
On average, 15-20 kg of either full mulberry leaves (if there were any in excess after rearing) or leftover leaves with stalks can be fed to the cows.
Mulberry leaves increase milk quality (protein and fat) and quantity. Mulberry feeds are excellent feeds for high yielding animals because the leaf CP and cell wall contents, combined with structural carbohydrates and ash are proof enough and thus, can be provided either in freshly or dryness forms in the compounded feeds.
Venkatesh et al. (2015) reported that feeding mulberry leaves to cows and goats increased the quantity of milk tremendously and also a drastic increase in the production of milk, protein, and fat in the cattle and goat because of the mulberry supplementation. In addition, supplementing the diet with mulberry leaves has been observed and proven to result in added body weight in both growing lambs and goats.
In Poultry feed, mulberry leaf meal can be included up to 9% to get increased egg size and production, improvement in yolk colour, increased Vitamin K and beta carotene in the eggs than commercial feed.
MULBERRY AS ANIMAL FEED
In recent times cultivated area is getting decreased in developing countries due to many reasons like increase in population and industrialization etc, So farmers are facing a problem with short of area to grow grasses as a mono crop to feed the cattle. It is a known fact that mulberry is being used as animal feed since long, since farmers are well aware of the nutritional value of the mulberry as a feed. In silkworm rearing, the tender leaves are used in first and second instars and mature leaves are used for the rest of the instars. In this process lot of residual leaves are left with, which are excellent feed for sheep and other lives stock. Mulberry can be grown along the grasses or it can be grown along agricultural fields, roadside, canals and marginal land while under cut and carry systems it is very well suited for small farmers livestock. In all traditional Sericultural countries like China, India and Korea feeding of leftovers of silkworm feeding and plant residues to domestic animals is a common practice. Till today, majority of fodder plants for cattle were grass species. There are many advantages when grasses are cultivated in combination with fodder trees, like grass under shade is fresher than grass exposed to strong sun out of shade, when grasses are fed in combination with tree leaves animals have become healthy due to balanced mineral intake and high protein content in mulberry and most important feature of mulberry as feed is its high digestibility and high palatability by all domestic animals. Normally digestibility values vary between 70-90% for leaves, 37-44% for the stem, 60% for the bark and 58-79% for the whole plant (Sanchez 2001). Many reports say that mulberry increases milk yield and reduces feed cost. Liu et al (2000) have reported on the supplementation of treated straw based diets with mulberry have significant implications for livestock production in countries where cereal residues are the basis for live stock feeding. Although mulberry is valuable resource in many conditions, it has been particularly beneficial in tropical climates, where grasses have been the customary basis of production. It is reported by Sanchez (2001) that mulberry is 80-100% better than grasses and 40-50% better than tropical legumes for small ruminants. Deshmukh et al, (1993) have obtained promising results when rabbits were fed with mulberry as the main feedstuff in the diet. Some of the earlier experiments have shown that rabbits eat better, grow faster and the quantity and quality of flush was better, if mulberry leaves were used as the feed (Li, 2001). Lea and Lee (2001) reported that in Korea mulberry is used as a feed for deer and it is very good for deer feeding which makes deer horns grow faster and bigger with shiny rich furs, due to its high nutritional value. Ye and Ye (2001) reported that farmers of Hubei province, China traditionally use refusal mulberry leaves and silkworm feces as pig feed resulted in getting faster growth and saving feed. Compared with the control group, pigs fed mulberry leaves and silkworm feces saved 2.52 kg feed per kg weight gain, reducing the cost by 8.6 percent and increasing profits by 19.6 percent.
- MULBERRY FOR POULTRY REARING
Tateno et al (1999a & b) and Sudo et al (2000) have observed that with feeds containing up to 9% mulberry leaf meal, egg size and production were similar to the commercial feed control. Further they noticed the improvement in the yolk color, increase of vitamin K and beta-carotene in the eggs produced from the poultry birds fed with mulberry. Machii (2000) reviewed the beneficial effects of the integration of poultry rearing into mulberry gardens from the point of view of weeding, additional organic fertilizer, quantity of poultry products and cost.
- MUSHROOM PRODUCTION:
Mulberry stem and stem powder are found to be good source of media for mushroom production (Machii 2001).
- MULBERRY AS A MEDICINE
Mulberry leaves; roots and stems are very well used in pharmaceutical industry. Mulberry is investigated for its plentiful medicinal values and being used in Korea (Lee and Lea, 2001) and China (Zhu and Lu 2001) extensively. As far back in oriental history as 2200 years ago, medicinal effects of mulberry leaf and root-inner bark are recorded in Chinese medicine books. Lee and Lea (2001) reported that by 1500s in both China and Korea, it is recorded with elaborate prescriptions that most parts of mulberry plant and also silkworms were utilized for their medicinal effects in various human illness; mainly for beriberi, external swelling. Diabetics, stroke, snake-bite, insect-bite, sweating, boils, open wounds, burns etc, Mulberry which is rich in vitamin B and C can be used for maintenance of normal or expedited activities of systems for immune, anti-oxidation and metabolic turn over of fats and carbohydrates. Mulberry leaf also contains rutin for active capillary system, GABA for lowering blood pressure and DNJ for lowering blood sugar level. In addition in mulberry leaf there are sito sterol for lowering blood cholesterol levels. Based on preliminary experimental results with mice and much publicized awareness better health in later ages, mulberry leaf powder is already available in Korean markets, as supplementary health food in the form of tablets or capsules, along with mulberry leaf extract added to beverages. Various ways of utilization of mulberry for human are very popular presently in Korea with considerable demands at a commercial level, as scientific knowledge and technology of mulberry as excelled health food are becoming available to the public (Lee and Lea 2001). It is reported (Zhu and Lu 2001) that every part of mulberry tree is being used in Chinese medicine. Mulberry leaves can be used to treat nose bleeding, night sweating, eye illness, acne and so on (Yi et al 1997). It is very well proved in animals that mulberry leaves had significant effects on lowering blood sugar content (Fujun et al 1995, Noda 1998,Mengzhao, 1989, Youye et al 2000). Research also found that mulberry leaf amylase could improve the capability of resisting blood sugar in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice and accelerate the excretion of insulin. Antherogenic rats were used to verify the function of mulberry leaves on lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. When rats fed mulberry leaves (1g/Kg), total –cholesterol decreased as much as 49 percent (Mingde 1999) phytosterols could constrain the assimilation of cholesterol in the intestine (Xiao et al 1999). Yong and Jingzhi (1999) stated that mulberry lower blood pressure might be due to the existence of high contents of GABA. The high GABA could lower blood pressure and resist arteriosclerosis. High SOD and flavonoid in mulberry leaves can eliminate free radicals (Fujun 1989) and therefore defer caducity (Fujun et al 1996). Muscle injection of extract from dry mulberry leaves can cure filariasis (Peiyi and Zhenhai 1990). In a clinical therapy of 1500 cases, the success muscle injection reached as high as 95 percent without side effects (Lianchu and Lihua 1996). According to traditional Chinese medicine mulberry fruit have many functions, enriching the blood, invigorating liver and kidney, fighting senility, preventing chronic hepatitis, curing insomnia, increasing the longevity of the life and neurasthenia (Chu et al 2001). Ye and Ye (2001) reported that mulberry leaf has many biological functions such as anti-aging, enhancing body resistance, lowering blood glucose, reducing cholesterol, anti neoplastic, prevention and cure of constipation in the clinical tests. Li (2001) reported that the leaves are used in preparation of mulberry-chrysanthemum cold tablet. Shiva Kumar et al (1997) from India reported that mulberry juice can be used as a moisturizer to keep the skin fresh, to prevent throat infection, irritation and inflammation fruit juice is used to prevent high fever, diarrhea and cold, root juice has the capacity to reduce blood sugar and blood pressure. Mulberry is proved in protecting liver, improving eyesight, facilitating discharge of urine, lowering of blood pressure, anti-diabetic and controlling weight in humans as well as animal models (Saurabh Bajpa (2012). The medicinal value of mulberry leaves has opened up a new approach in sericulture production. For the last 20 years, plethora of compounds encompassing almost all major classes of antioxidants have been reported from mulberry. It includes all flavonoids like flavones, iso-flavones, flavonolls, anthocyanins, isoprenylated piperdine and pyrolidine glycosides, low molecular weight redox compounds like glutathione and various natural amines( Soumen Chattopadhyay et al, 2013).
- MULBERRY AS A FOODSTUFF
Mulberry fruits are edible and well known for its delicious taste. They can be consumed directly or can be used in the preparation of Wine, Jam or Soft drinks. “Da 10” is the most popular fruit mulberry variety, which is planted in Zhejiang,Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces of China(Ye 2001). Mulberry fruit research has become more active in the Sericulture Research Institute of Yunna province, China utilizing many species in cross breeding for fruit production, the result of which is DL-number 1 (Chu et al 2001). Mulberry fruits have many excellent characters like nice taste, large size, attractive color and high nutritive and medicinal values. Fresh mulberry fruits are rich in amino acids, vitamins and mineral, such as Zn, Mn, Fe, Ca that are indispensable for the human body, in addition mulberry fruits also rich in pectin and fibrin. Ascorbic acid content is as high as 20mg/100g in fresh fruit (Chu et al 2001). Fruits can be used as coloring and flavoring agent (Shiva Kumar et al 1996). In Japan, mulberry leaves are used to make a dish called “Tian-Fu-La” and mulberry leaf powder can be added to flour for pastries and cakes (Li 2001). The leaves that silkworms love contain agents that can significantly improve our health (Will Block, 2004 ). Sarita et al (1997) from India discussed about preparation method of Paratha, Pakoda, Saag, Dhokla, Steamed product with mulberry leaves noticed that the products prepared from mulberry leaves were acceptable and tasty. Mulberry leaves can be used as green vegetable. Dried mulberry leaves can also be used as tea. In addition, mulberry leaf and fruits are also eaten as fresh or dried vegetable or are mixed in such food or confectionery stuff as noodle, soybean curd, cakes, ice-cream, yogurt, beverage, wine, rice-cake etc.,
- IN FISH REARING
The use of silkworm waste to rear fish has long history in China. The mulberry dike and fishpond system in Guangdong province, China was famous in the world for its high productivity and sustainable recycling with in a natural ecosystem (Li 2001). Ye (2001) reported that in Zhujiang valley; the mulberry dyke-fish pond model had been well developed. The mulberry is planted in the dyke around the fishpond. The pond mud is dredged for the mulberry, mulberry leaves feed the silkworm and silkworm waste goes as fish food. The agricultural ecological model combining sericulture with animal husbandry can increase economic value and recycling of waste resources.
- MULBERRY WOOD
The mulberry branches are to use to make baskets, toys and sport goods. Mulberry shoots after using leaves for silkworm rearing are being used as firewood in the rural areas. Bark is used for paper production and mulberry tree is also used for forest protection against wind and sand. The merits of growing mulberry in India are many like high density planting, fast growing, availability of many high yielding varieties, easy vegetative propagation, suitable for shoot harvest etc. In addition to all these, mulberry leaves are rich in nutrients. Hence besides using as a sole food for the silkworm, it is quite feasible to utilize all the parts of mulberry for various valuable purposes.
CONCLUSION
Production of green fodder on cultivated land is difficult due to area allocated for cultivation of fodder crops are less, lack of irrigation facilities and other inputs; and low economic returns compared to cash crops. Mulberry can be grown under varied climatic condition, including fallow and wastelands not fit for agriculture can be used, totally or partly, for producing nutritious green fodder. Feeding mulberry as part of the daily ration of cows will improve the quality and quantity of milk and reduce calving intervals. Mulberry can be included as part of the feed in small ruminants and poultry to increase the animal body weight, egg production and quality of eggs.
DR SANGEETA PATNAIK,IVRI
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