In Vitro Fermentation of Grass Based Diet Supplemented with Two Different Tree Legume Forages in Ruminant

Abstract

Academic PublishersAdvances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences April 2019 | Volume 7 | Issue 4 | Page 272With the targets of reducing the feed cost and sustaining good performances of animals, the researchers tried to replace the high quality exotic grass into low quality local Research ArticleAbstract | This experiment was conducted to evaluate the in vitro fermentation parameters of grass based diet supplemented with two different tree legume forages in ruminants. The grass [Mulato II (M)] was mixed with legume forages [Gliricidia(G) and Sesbaenia (S)] to obtain the feed mixtures, M70%+G30%, M70%+S30% and M70%+G15%+S15%, and then carried out the in vitro gas production. The lower (p<0.05) crude protein and higher (p<0.05) fibre (neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre) contents were observed in Mulato II compared with legume forages, and M70+G30 had the highest (p<0.05) fibre content among the feed mixtures. The significant differences (p<0.05) in gas productions were observed in early incubation times (1, 6 and 12h). The higher fermentation parameters were found in Gliricidia. For the feed mixtures, no significant differences (p>0.05) in gas production and fermentation kinetics were observed. The nutritive values such as metabolizable energy, organic matter digestibility, short chain fatty acid, total digestible nutrient and digestible dry matter were higher (p<0.05) in Sesbaenia than other feedstuffs. The dry matter intake of M70+S30 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of M70+G30 and M70+G15+S15. However, all feedstuffs and feed mixtures possessed the nutritive values of high quality forages and complete feeds for ruminants. The highest (p<0.05) methane concentration was observed in Sesbaenia, followed by Gliricidia and Mulato II. For the feed mixtures, M70+G15+S15 showed the higher (p<0.05) methane gas concentration than M70+G30 and M70+S30. The negative correlation (R 2 =0.9252) between NDF content and methane gas concentration of feedstuffs was observed. Thus, grass and legume forage mixtures have potential to use as complete feed for ruminant without using concentrates because of their higher nutritive values. In consideration with environmental issue, M70+G15+S15 feed mixture should not be used as ruminant feed because of its higher concentration of methane.

Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment

“…Cenchrus ciliaris showed higher ADF values than all other grasses at elongation and maturity stages. A low acid detergent fibre is desirable because it gives more chance for ruminant to have better feed conversion efficiency to induce higher digestibility of forages [72,73]. Lignin is known for providing mechanical support for the tillers to impart strength and rigidity to plant cell walls and also provides resistance to disease and other biotic and abiotic stresses [74].…”

Effects of Supplementing Gliricidia Sepium on Ration based Ammoniated Rice Straw in Ruminant Feed to Decrease Methane Gas Production and to Improve Nutrient Digestibility (In-Vitro)

“…Hence, it is necessary to supplement it with a soluble protein from legume, e.g., Gliricidia sepium. Gliricidia sepium have 15-30% protein content [4], making them suitable to use as a feed supplement in waste-based feeds [5,6]. It also contains sufficient amounts of minerals (except phosphorus and copper) to meet the needs of livestock in the tropics [7].…”