Most weeds are palatable and of acceptable quality for animal feed in some areas. Weeds can be high in nitrates so it is prudent to test these plants for feed quality as alternative fodder. Present study was aimed to investigate the nutritional potential of five noxious weed species (Solanum nigrum, Parthenium hysterophorous, Agertum conizoids, Ranunculus sclerosis and Brasssica nigra) at three phenological stages (vegetative, reproductive and post-reproductive), which are commonly grazed by livestock in Rajowal, district Okara. Whole weed plants (except root) were collected, cleaned, dried and then ground into powder form. Dried weed powder was used for proximate analysis. Resultsexhibited that S. nigrum, P. hysterophorous, A. conizoids, R. sclerosis and B. nigra have varying level of nutritional values at three phenological stages. These weed showed appreciable range of moisture (77.15-88.37 %), fibre (0.48-8.82%), fats (5.12-8.53%), protein (10.02-27.15%) carbohydrate (40.18-65.5%) and ash (22.71-10.3%) at three phenological stages It can be concluded that S. nigrum, P. hysterophorous, A. conizoids, R. sclerosis and B. nigra weeds are good source of nutrition, however, cannot be recommended as alternative to conventional fodder crops, as these weeds are reported to contain harmful compounds.
