Asystasia gangetica as a predominant plant species for feeding goat grows
widely in various lands in Payakumbuh region. The present study was aimed to
determine crude nutrient and mineral composition of the wild plant derived from five
different growing areas, i.e. banana and cacao plantations, road sides, idle lands and
river banks. The sampling sites were distributed in 3 different subdistricts. Fresh
samples which were collected by using a plate meter of 0.5 x 0.5 m2 were weiighed,
chopped, dried and then ground in meal form prior to analysis for dry matter (DM),
crude ash, crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose,
and minerals of Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn. Data were subjected to analysis of variance
(ANOVA) in completely randomixed design of 5x3 consisting of 5 growing areas
and 3 subdistricts as replications. Results showed that A. gangetica contained
relatively low DM of 9.3-11.9%. Crude ash ranged 16.8-20.9%, CP: 15.5-25.0%, CF:
23.2-28.6 %, ADF: 42.5-46.4%, and cellulose :26.5-29.7%. Macro mineral Ca ranged
18.8-20.5 g, P:11.2-17.4, Mg: 7.5-8.5 g/kg DM. Trace element of Cu ranged 22.0-
29.4 mg, Zn:17.4-22.6 mg, Mn: 36.2-41.4 mg/kg DM. A. gangetica grown in the
banana plantation areas showed the highest crude protein content, while the highest
fiber content was found by A. gangetica collected from the cocoa plantation. A.
gangetica grown in river banks tended to have the higher mineral content of Ca, P,
Mg, and Cu