Effect of phenological stage on nutrient composition, in vitro fermentation and gas production kinetics of Plantago lanceolata herbage

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal digestion values of Plantago lanceolata herbage in different phenological stages. The plant samples were gathered in the vegetative, flowering and early seed stages of the plant. The crude protein, diethyl ether extract, ash, non-fibre carbohydrates, and proanthocyanidins levels of the vegetative and flowering stages were higher than those of the early seed stage (P < 0.001). Structural carbohydrate levels (P < 0.05) were determined to have a higher value in the early seed stage. Glucose, fructose, Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe and Cu concentrations decreased as the plant matured (P < 0.001), but Na, Zn, and Mn concentrations increased (P < 0.05). The asymptote gas production, gas production rate (P < 0.001), total gas production at 24 h (P = 0.002), metabolic energy, net energy lactation and organic matter digestibility values and the number of Entodinium (P < 0.001) and total bacteria count (P = 0.026) of the flowering and vegetative stages were higher than those of the early seed stage. Methane produced by 0.2 g dry matter was similar in the three phenological stages (P = 0.078). The bound condensed tannins and saponin contents of plants and ammoniacal-N, number of total protozoa and pH value of rumen fluid were similar in the three different phenological stages (P > 0.05). The present study indicates that P. lanceolata in the vegetative and flowering stages has, owing to its chemical composition, energy content and digestibility, the potential to be used as a forage source for ruminants in areas affected by drought.

The <i>in vitro</i> digestion of neutral detergent fibre and other ruminal fermentation parameters of some fibrous feedstuffs in Damascus goat (<i>Capra aegagrus hircus</i>)

“…Therefore, anti-nutritional factors (saponin, proanthocyanidins and bound and extractable condensed tannins) in P. lanceolata herbage were not present at toxic levels for grazing animals (Kara et al, 2018b). In the present study, the in vitro estimated ME values and gas production of plantago hay for Damascus goat were higher than those found in the study of Kara et al (2018b) conducted on the beef cattle rumen fluid. The high values of gas production of plantago hay in the present study can be associated with effective roughage digestion by goat rumen flora (Muir, 2011).…”

“…Plantago species and ajuga, which are plants growing naturally in meadows, can be applied for animals breed on pastures lacking in this type of plants. In our previous in vitro study we stated that plantago hay can be used in beef cattle feeding as an alternative quality forage source, containing approximately 110 g/kg CP, 380-460 g/kg aNDFom, 9 MJ/kg ME, 60% organic matter digestibility and high macro-and micromineral contents (Kara et al, 2018b). Therefore, anti-nutritional factors (saponin, proanthocyanidins and bound and extractable condensed tannins) in P. lanceolata herbage were not present at toxic levels for grazing animals (Kara et al, 2018b).…”

“…In our previous in vitro study we stated that plantago hay can be used in beef cattle feeding as an alternative quality forage source, containing approximately 110 g/kg CP, 380-460 g/kg aNDFom, 9 MJ/kg ME, 60% organic matter digestibility and high macro-and micromineral contents (Kara et al, 2018b). Therefore, anti-nutritional factors (saponin, proanthocyanidins and bound and extractable condensed tannins) in P. lanceolata herbage were not present at toxic levels for grazing animals (Kara et al, 2018b). In the present study, the in vitro estimated ME values and gas production of plantago hay for Damascus goat were higher than those found in the study of Kara et al (2018b) conducted on the beef cattle rumen fluid.…”

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) reduces the environmental impact of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)1

“…Because deer offered plantain consumed less N but excreted similar amounts in the feces, apparent N digestibility for plantain was lower than for ryegrass. As with the apparent DMD, the reduced N digestibility may be due to a greater rate of passage with deer consuming plantain but may also be due to condensed tannins, with concentrations ranging from 4 to 10 g/kg DM ( Kara et al, 2018 ). Tannins precipitate protein and reduce total tract protein degradation ( Waghorn, 2008 ).…”

The forage quality and the in vitro ruminal digestibility, gas production, organic acids, and some estimated digestion parameters of tomato herbage silage with molasses and barley

“…Climatic conditions are an important problem for the production of feed plants and the sustainability for forage production [12][13][14][15]. In recent years, animal nutritionists have studied drought-resistant plants, agro-industrial wastes, and other by-products as alternative forage sources [16][17][18]. Searching for alternative forages is important for animal production sustainability.…”