Nutritional quality of leguminous forages of Himalayan region: Leguminous forages

In Himalayan region, the shortage of quality feeds has been identified as major constraint in livestock productivity. Forage constitute a major proportion in the diets of mountainous animals for meeting their requirements for food and energy. In term of nutritional requirements, grasses are falling far short in achieving nutritional requirements. The livestock production therefore relies on low quality roughages which increases the probability of malnutrition, poor growth, and susceptibility to various diseases in animals which ultimately affects animal productivity. The small hold or marginal farmers of Himalayan region faces acute forage insecurity both in terms of quality and quantity during lean periods.  Over reliance on low quality forages is often  associated with economic losses to farmer as animal productivity depends upon nutrient levels in feed, its palatability, digestibility and capacity to increase rumen fermentation and partitioning of metabolized products to various tissues in animals. It necessitates cultivation and integration of leguminous forages in animal feeding that could revive farmers from economic losses. Leguminous forages have considerable level of proteins and other essential nutrients that are imperative for maintaining nutritional requirement in livestock. Forage legumes also enhance the nutritive value of low quality roughages by supplementing essential nutrients. Besides being highly nutritious, leguminous forages also improve soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into readily available form through symbiotic association with rhizobium in roots. The presence of aversive factors (antinutrients) in leguminous fodder affects the nutrient utilization and metabolic processes in animals. Different processing technologies have been developed to alleviate the ill effects of antinutrients in animals. The present review focuses primarily on the nutritional potential and effect of environment on nutritive value of leguminous forages of Himalayan region. This review also serves as an important information towards the sustainability and rural development through leguminous forages in Himalayan region.