Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the physical and nutritional characteristics of oak (Quercus calliprions) acorns pods, carob (Ceratonia siliqua) pods, walnut husk, pomegranate peel and barley tibin. Samples were collected from northern part of Jordan and analyzed for dry matter (DM), inorganic matter (IM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF) and mineral concentrations. In addition, all physical measurements were conducted. Tibin was used for comparison purposes since it is used as a main source of roughage for livestock in Jordan. Significantly (P<0.001) higher values of DM, CP and IM were reported in walnut husk compared with tibin and other tree products. Carob pods showed a significantly higher value for the CF content (45.80%), followed by walnut husk (43.07%) compared with other tested feeds. Moreover, oak acorn pods can be considered as a good source of protein (8.04%) which is significantly higher when compared with tibin. Magnesium, P and Ca concentrations in tibin and walnut husk were significantly higher compared with other tested tree products. The Cu, Co and P concentrations in walnut husk were significantly higher compared with other tibin and other tree products. On the other hand, the fresh weight of pomegranate peels and walnut husk were 32.54 and 7.70 g, comprising about 35 and 40% of the total fresh fruit weight of the two crops, respectively. Pod weights of carob tree and oak were 6.36 and 8.01g, respectively. In conclusion, all above pods and fruit husks or peels of these trees, especially walnut husks, can efficiently be used as a livestock supplement to fill the gap of these dietary shortages in Jordan especially during the dry season. Further research is needed to evaluate the digestion and utilization of these trees pods and fruits by farm animals.