Pornunça (Manihot sp.) is a potential forage to feed ruminants in drylands worldwide; however, evaluations of animal diets are necessary. This study assessed intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, physiological responses, ingestive behavior, water intake, as well as hematological and biochemical responses of lambs fed diets containing increasing levels of Pornunça silage (PS) replacing Tifton-85 bermudagrass hay (Cynodon spp.). Treatments consisted of 0, 33, 66, and 100 % PS considering the roughage portion of the diet (% dry matter -DM). The experimental design was completely randomized with six replicates. Cyanide acid (HCN) levels in fresh Pornunça leaves were 207.7 mg kg −1 DM and 76.78 mg kg −1 DM in PS. Intake of DM and crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) increased linearly with increasing levels of PS in the diet. Digestibility of DM, NDF, and CP were higher with increasing levels of PS. Idle time decreased linearly, while water balance, water intake via food, and total water in feces increased with PS. Nitrogen balance, physiological, and hematological responses were not influenced by treatments, while the final alanine aminotransferase increased for lambs fed all diets evaluated. The PS up to 100 % of the roughage portion increased DM and nutrient intake and digestibility without altering physiological responses and the hematological and biochemical parameters, resulting in greater water intake via food.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important forage source for livestock, while wild cassavas (maniçoba and pornunça – Manihot sp.), native from Brazilian semi-arid have the potential to feed ruminants in drylands. We hypothesized that maniçoba and pornunça have a chemical composition and morphophysiological responses similar to cassava cultivars. Nine Manihot plants were evaluated, six wild cassava accessions (BGMS 20, BGMS 21, BGMS 22, BGMS 26, BGMS 79, and BGMS 102), pornunça (BGMS 24) and two cassava cultivars (gema-de-ovo [GO] and engana-ladrão [EL]). We evaluated two 6-month crop cycles under a completely randomized design with four replicates. The genotype BGMS 20 had higher shoot biomass than BGMS 24, BGMS 79, EL, and GO, as well as higher leaf mass than EL and GO. Photosynthesis, leaf temperature, stomatal conductance, and transpiration were similar among the genotypes (13.83 µmol.m-2.s-1, 29.90 ºC, 0.12 mol.m-2.s-1 and 2.75 mmol.m-2.s-1, respectively). EL had a shoot crude protein content higher than the others, except for BGMS 21 and BGMS 24. Genotypes did not differ concerning in situ and in vitro (dry matter (DM)) degradability and mineral composition. BGMS 24 had a higher number of leaves than the others, and BGMS 20 had taller plants than the other genotypes, except for BGMS 21 and BGMS 22. In vitro gas production was similar among the genotypes considering total carbohydrates. Wild cassava accessions showed shoot biomass, leaf mass physiological responses, and chemical composition compatible with cassava cultivars; therefore, they show potential as alternative forages for livestock.

No abstract