In vitro gas production and in vivo nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Thai indigenous cattle fed fresh and conserved pangola grass

Abstract

Fresh and conserved pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha Steud., synonym D. decumbens) were compared in terms of in vitro gas production and in vivo nutrient digestibility, metabolisable energy (ME) concentration and average daily gain (ADG) of Thai indigenous cattle. The study was designed as a completely randomised design with Ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) as a control and pangola grass in fresh, hay and silage forms at the same age at harvest (45 days regrowth) as treatments. As intended, the dry matter (DM) intake of forages supplemented with concentrate and a protein block was not different (p > .05) among treatments. All forms of pangola ranked higher in crude protein and ME concentrations than Ruzi grass. Pangola silage, to which 5% sugarcane molasses was added at ensiling to minimise the risk of bad fermentation, produced more gas in vitro after 96 hours of incubation and had greater (p < .05) in vivo DM, organic matter and crude protein apparent digestibility and ME concentrations and resulted in higher ADG of cattle. In conclusion, the form of pangola grass had a direct effect on digestibility, ME and ADG of Thai indigenous cattle. Pangola silage ranked higher than its fresh and hay forms as well as Ruzi grass which was the control. Pangola grass is a feasible alternative as forage source for cattle in tropical countries and can be recommended as a grass species for feeding especially during dry season. ARTICLE HISTORY

In vitro evaluation of ruminal digestibility and fermentation characteristics of local feedstuff-based beef cattle ration

“…Dry matter and organic matter digestibility Beef cattle convert low-quality feed (high fiber) into products containing high nutritional value and quality, such as meat (Deutschmann et al 2017;Mayulu et al 2020;Daru and Mayulu 2020). This ability is promoted by a complex digestive system, particularly the stomach which consists of four compartments, namely the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum (Mayulu et al 2021).…”

In vitro evaluation of ruminal digestibility and fermentation characteristics of local feedstuff-based beef cattle ration

“…Dry matter and organic matter digestibility Beef cattle convert low-quality feed (high fiber) into products containing high nutritional value and quality, such as meat (Deutschmann et al 2017;Mayulu et al 2020;Daru and Mayulu 2020). This ability is promoted by a complex digestive system, particularly the stomach which consists of four compartments, namely the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum (Mayulu et al 2021).…”

Caracterización nutricional y producción de gas de especies vegetales con potencial alimenticio para la alimentación de rumiantes

“…Respecto a esto, investigaciones previas reportaron que la defaunación de los protozoarios afecta la fermentación (29). Deutschmann et al (30) reportaron valores más bajos de producción de gas a las 24h de fermentación en pasto pangola (aproximadamente 10 mL/g MS) que el volumen obtenido en el presente estudio con las especies vegetales propuestas. Estos mismos autores alimentaron búfalos con pasto pangola como parte de la ración y obtuvieron ganancias diarias de peso (GDP) de 0.45 kg/día.…”

“…Estos mismos autores alimentaron búfalos con pasto pangola como parte de la ración y obtuvieron ganancias diarias de peso (GDP) de 0.45 kg/día. Esto último sugiere que la utilización de las especies vegetales propuestas en este estudio puede promover una GDP superior a las reportadas por Deutschmann et al (30).…”