FODDER PRODUCTION AND NUTRITIVE-VALUE OF 6 SHRUBS ON ACID SOIL IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Fodder production, dry season leaf retention, and concentrations of cr ude protein and in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility in fodder of De smanthus virgatus, Desmodium cinereum, Desmodium distortum, Desmodium discolor, Desmodium gyroides, and Cajanus cajan were compared under cu tting on an acid soil in southern Ethiopia. Desmodium cinereum, D. dis tortum, D. discolor, and C. cajan retained a higher percentage of gree n leaves during the dry season and produced more fodder than D. gyroid es and Desmanthus virgatus. Crude protein concentration in fodder of a ll species during the dry season was above 130 g kg-1 DM, indicating t hat these species could be used as protein banks to supplement native pastures and crop residues during the dry season. Based on fodder prod uction, dry season leaf retention, and concentration of crude protein in fodder, D. cinereum, D. distortum, D. discolor, and C. cajan are re commended for further testing with animals.