Climate change continues to present global challenges for farmers’ livelihoods. Celtis australis (kharik) is one of the versatile multipurpose tree species, that provides quality fodder, particularly during the lean periods and fulfils the needs of rural communities for sustenance. Unfortunately, owing to significant defoliant attacks, tree phenology and forage availability og this species have changed in recent years. Therefore, the present study was conducted during four seasons (spring, summer, rainy, and winter) in three diameter classes (< 10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm) under defoliated and undefoliated tree conditions to assess the alteration in phenology, nutritive value and leaf biomass productivity of kharik. The study revealed that under undefoliated trees, the leaf nutrients (dry matter, ether extract, crude fibre, total ash content, acid insoluble ash, acid fibre content and neutral detergent fibre content) were highest during the summer in 20–30 cm diameter class, except for crude protein, nitrogen-free extract, organic matter and total carbohydrate contents. In defoliated trees, the tree nutrients, namely phosphorus (0.28%) and calcium (12.50%) were highest in winter. However, the leaf antinutrients, i.e., tannins and phenolic content were maximum in the spring season in 20–30 cm diameter class under defoliated and undefoliated tree conditions. Overall, the defoliation of kharik resulted in changed phenology, a marked decline in the crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, organic matter content, and leaf and branch biomass productivity vis-à-vis undefoliated ones. Simultaneously, defoliated trees retain their leaves until winter thus providing fodder availability during scarcity season. However, continued insect attacks may have a negative impact on kharik’s health; thus, a timely effective pest management strategy is required to be devised.

气候变化继续给农民的生计带来全球性挑战。南方朴树(kharik) 是一种多功能的多用途树种，可提供优质饲料，特别是在青黄不接的时期，并满足农村社区的生计需求。不幸的是，由于严重的落叶攻击，该物种的树木物候和饲料供应近年来发生了变化。因此，本研究在四个季节（春季、夏季、雨季和冬季）、三个直径等级（< 10 厘米、10-20 厘米、20-30 厘米）的落叶和未落叶树条件下进行，以评估kharik 的物候、营养价值和叶片生物量生产力。研究表明，在未落叶树下，20-30厘米直径级别的叶片养分（干物质、乙醚浸出物、粗纤维、总灰分含量、酸不溶性灰分、酸性纤维含量和中性洗涤纤维含量）在夏季最高。 ，除粗蛋白、无氮浸出物、有机质和总碳水化合物含量外。落叶树中，树木养分磷（0.28%）和钙（12.50%）在冬季最高。然而，在落叶和未落叶树条件下，叶片抗营养物质，即单宁和酚类含量在春季在20-30厘米直径级中最高。总体而言，kharik 的落叶导致物候发生变化，与未落叶的相比，粗蛋白、中性洗涤纤维、有机物含量以及叶和树枝生物量生产力显着下降。同时，落叶的树木会保留叶子直到冬天，从而在稀缺季节提供饲料。然而，持续的昆虫袭击可能会对卡里克的健康产生负面影响；因此，需要制定及时有效的害虫管理策略。