Potential of Shoots of Lime Tree and Black Mulberry as Fodder for Domestic Animals and Game – Pilot Study

ŠVAGR, Pavel, PODRÁZSKÝ, Vilém, GALLO, Josef, TAMA, Abubakar Yahaya, HOMOLKA, Petr and NEDĚLNÍK, Jan. Potential of Shoots of Lime Tree and Black Mulberry as Fodder for Domestic Animals and Game – Pilot Study. REPORTS OF FORESTRY RESEARCH-ZPRAVY LESNICKEHO VYZKUMU, 2026, 71, 31-36. ISSN 0322-9688.
Year2026
CathegoryScientific publication in impacted journals
Internal link26038.pdf
Abstract

Tree species, used in agroforestry systems, have both the environmental and economic value. They can serve, among other uses, for feeding domestic animals, and they can be also the fodder for hoofed browsing game. Twig fodder represents the shoots of woody species including foliage. It represents a traditional source in many countries. In the presented study, the basic nutrition characteristics of twig-fodder of lime tree (Tilia cordata L.) and black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), sampled in two terms (10 May and 16 August 2023) are presented. The bulk samples from 5-10 individuals of each species were formed; the samples were analyzed in specialized laboratory. The nutritional characteristics were compared with maize silage as reference fodder. Results confirmed twig-fodder as a convenient and perspective source of animal alimentation when compared to conventional fodder. At the same time, a higher nutritional value of mulberry in comparison to lime (linden) tree and seasonal changes in nutritional quality were confirmed.