MANGROVE AS A POTENTIAL FODDER CROP IN THE RED SEA COASTAL AREAS OF EGYPT

In an endeavor to exploit mangrove trees as a potential fodder pl‌ant in marginal salinity environments, mangrove leaves and fruits were collected from different locations adjacent to Red Sea shore at the southern part of Egypt. Samples of both leaves and fruits were oven dried and analyzed for crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), nitrogen free extract (NFE), ash and organic matter (OM). Also, content of the ele-ments Na, K, Ca, Mg , Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Co, and Pb were determined. Fiber fractions were done to critically evaluate the mangrove leaves and fruits as a potential fodder crop. As well as, nutritive values and dry matter digestibility were calculated. Results obtained indicate that mangrove plants (leaves and fruits) could reasonably be used as a good feed for animals in the envi-ronments that can't grow the traditional fodder crops.