Effect of the inclusion of tropical tree legumes, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala, on the nutritive value of silages prepared from tropical grasses

Abstract

S U M M A R YSilages were prepared from the tropical grasses, pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) and setaria (Setaria sphacelata), with the addition of molasses (4% w/w) and/or leaves (33%) from the leguminous trees leucaena {Leucaena leucocephala) and gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium). All forages were grown at the University of Queensland farm in south eastern Queensland during 1985. These silages, together with hays made from these grasses and sorghum silage (13 diets) were fed to sheep to assess their nutritive value. All silages were well preserved, as indicated by low pH (3-5-4-4), low ammonia N (26-57 g/kg total N) and high lactic acid (73-95 % total acids) contents. The addition of legumes increased both the dry matter (DM) and total N (TN) contents of silages to the same extent as the addition of both legumes and molasses at ensiling. Sheep given silages prepared from pangola grass and legumes ( +molasses) consumed similar DM intakes (22-9-25-4 g/kg 075 per day) as sheep given pangola grass hay (23-9 g/kg 0 ' 75 per day). Silage made from pangola grass + molasses was of low palatability (161 g/kg 075 per day). The digestibilities of silage DM (DMD) and its fibrous components were significantly (P < 005) lower (DMD 53-3-60-6%) than that of pangola hay (DMD 64-7%). Silages and hay made from setaria, and sorghum silage, were of lower nutritive value than those from pangola grass. The addition of leucaena and molasses increased silage DM intakes (211 g/kg 0 ' 75 per day) above those for setaria hay and setaria + molasses silage (16-7 and 190 g/kg" 75 per day respectively). The intakes of silages made from gliricidia (171 g/kg 075 per day) were significantly (P < 005) improved when molasses was included at ensiling (21 -8 g/kg 075 per day). The digestibilities of silage DM were significantly (P < 005) higher (DMD 53-6-60-4%) than that of setaria hay (DMD 40-6). Liveweight change in sheep was significantly (P < 005) correlated with intakes of digestible DM (r 2 = 0-74) and with N intake (r 2 = 0-82). The inclusion of legumes in the silages increased N retention and, for setaria silages, also increased rumen ammonia concentration. It was concluded that tropical grasses can be effectively ensiled by the addition of legumes alone and, with the exception of setaria/gliricidia silages, the resultant silages were of sufficiently high quality to merit their use in tropical animal production systems.

Digestion by sheep of silages prepared from mixtures of tropical grasses and legumes

“…Unless otherwise stated, the analytical procedures used in this experiment were the same as described by Tjandraatmadja et al (1993). Fresh forage, silage, refusals, faeces, abomasal filtrate and filtrand were analysed for dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), lignin and total nitrogen (TN) contents.…”

“…Batches of each silage were opened after 61, 88, 108 and 131 days for use in trial periods 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The ensilage procedure and preparation of the silages for feeding were as described by Tjandraatmadja et al (1993).…”

“…Cunningham) at ensiling ensiling legume/grass mixtures to overcome this need enhanced fermentation characteristics by reducing for additional protein supplements. Legumes ensiled the ammonia N (as % total N) and ethanol contents of the silages, and improved nitrogen retention and liveweight gain in sheep (Tjandraatmadja et al 1993). The addition of leaves (33% w/w) from the leguminous trees gliricidia and leucaena appeared to be equally effective as sources of nitrogen (N), and increased N content of the silages.…”

Nutritional composition of 'Ponta Negra' forage sorghum silage enriched with dried Leucaena leucocephala forage

“…This response is because the Leucaena plant had been dried, which prevented dry matter losses because of the less development of enterobacteria that would result in a low-quality fermentation process (EDVAN et al, 2013;FERREIRA et al, 2016). Therefore, the inclusion of the dried legume ensures good fermentation of the sorghum silage in addition to possibly improving the production performance of sheep consuming it (TJANDRAATMADJA et al, 1993). Evangelista et al (2005) worked with sorghum silages enriched with Leucaena forage that were not subjected to wilting (10.0, 20.0, 30.0, and 40.0% inclusion) and observed a reduction in the silage dry matter content that was explained by the higher moisture content of Leucaena when compared with that of sorghum.…”

Ensilage of Cardboard and Date Palm Leaves

“…The reducing sugars and ether extract concentrations on a dry matter basis are shown in Fig. [45] Additionally, molasses is the carbohydrate source used most frequently, and is of particular benefit when applied to silages low in soluble carbohydrates. The concentration percentages of reducing sugars among the eight silages were in the range of 0.2-0.6 after 30 days and increased to a range of 2.4-2.7, and 2.3-2.1 after 60 and 90 days of ensiling, respectively (Fig.…”