Tapioca leaves (Manihot esculenta)

Local name: Tapioca

Tapioca is a tuber crop extensively grown in Kerala State and parts of Tamil Nadu. Out of three species M. esculenta is most commonly cultivated in India. Annual production of tapioca in India is estimated at 4.5 million tonnes. At the time of harvest, generally the tuber  is harvested and the leaves are thrown away.

Nutritive value

Tapioca leaves are a rich source of protein having a DCP value of 8.3% and TDN value of 45.5% of dry leaves. When fed to growing calves 2.27 kg of partially dried tapioca leaves could replace 0.68 kg of groundnut cake. Tapioca leaf meal also gives good results in feeding of lactating cows.

Deleterious factors

So far, tapioca leaves were not fed to cattle due to presence of hydrocyanic acid (HCN). The HCN content is the minimum when the plants are five months of age. The tapioca leaf meal contains 7.58 mg of HCN per 100 g of material. At an intake level of 0.5-0.8% of body weight, it does not bring about any adverse effect.