This research evaluated the effects of mulberry leaf in diet on growth and meat quality in rabbits. Five treatment diets were prepared by using a proportion of 0% (CK), 5% (ML5), 10% (ML10), 15% (ML15) and 20% (ML20) mulberry leaf powder (MLP), respectively. Results showed that average daily gain (ADG) in the ML20 group was significantly (P£ 0.05) lower than that in the CK, ML5 and ML10 treatments. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the ML20 treatment was significantly (P£ 0.05) higher than that in

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... all other treatments. Most of the carcass characteristics had no significant differences among the five treatments (P>0.05), however, abdominal fat percentage in the four MLP treatments was significantly (P£ 0.05) lower than that in the CK. The L* and a* values in most of MLP treatment samples of longissimus dorsi and hind leg muscles were significantly increased, and the b* value significantly declined than those in the CK (P£ 0.05). Drip loss values in the ML10, ML15 and ML20 group were significantly (P£ 0.05) lower than those in the CK. Moisture, fat and ash contents in the higher MLP level treatments (ML15 and ML20) were significantly (P£ 0.05) lower than those in the CK. In conclusion, MLP for a certain proportion in diet (£ 15%)is greatly valuable for improvement of growth and meat appearance of rabbits, and a high proportion of MLP (e.g. ³ 20%) may impede growth of young rabbits.