Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) age variability effects on total and nutrient-specific in situ rumen degradation

Abstract

Early and late season kudzu leaves were collected to analyse dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in situ rumen disappearance to assess kudzu quality. Four studies were conducted during different growing periods [2 repeated early season (ES); 2 repeated late season (LS)] to determine age variability effects. Kudzu was incubated in the rumen between 0.25 and 72 h to determine total rumen degradation (%) and the rate of disappearance (% h −1 ). Data were analysed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with repeated measures. Regression analysis was used to determine the degradation rate. Overall season effects (across incubation times) for dry matter disappearance (DMD) were significantly different (P < .0001). There were also significant season by incubation time interactions for DMD. Rumen degradation rate was determined to be 2.41% h −1 across both seasons, with no significant seasonal difference (P = .3396). Results from this study are indicative that ES kudzu is more degradable than LS. Although there are significant seasonal effects on kudzu DMD during certain incubation times, DMD overall for ES and LS is still indicative of high rumen degradability.

A Review of Kudzu’s Use and Characteristics as Potential Feedstock

“…Crude protein, (CP), % 17 Additionally, Gulizia et al [36] observed that kudzu from two different growing seasons contained a higher concentration of nutrients than in previous reports ( Table 7). This study also observed that early season kudzu dry matter degradability was 84%, and late season kudzu degradability was 79% over a 72 h incubation period.…”

“…This study also observed that early season kudzu dry matter degradability was 84%, and late season kudzu degradability was 79% over a 72 h incubation period. Gulizia et al [36] concluded that kudzu (regardless of growing season) was highly degradable over a 72 h incubation period in ruminants, and has potential as a feedstock.…”

“…Table 7. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) chemical composition of early (ES) and late season (LS) kudzu (P. montana) leaves incubated in experimental fistulated bovine during in situ rumen degradation study periods (DM basis) [36].…”

Comparison of Dietary Kudzu Leaf Meal (Pueraria montana Var. lobata) and Alfalfa Meal Supplementation Effect on Broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Organ Parameters

“…In contrast, Etela et al [25] supplemented fresh Pueraria phaseoloides in the diets of Lohmann Browns (a chicken predominantly used as a layer) and suggested that leaf meals could be incorporated into poultry diets. Therefore, kudzu's high nutrient composition could be a potential substitution for common, more expensive feed components typically used in broiler diets [26]. Leaf meals used as an alternative protein source have the potential to increase body weight and reduce feed costs in animal production [4,[27][28][29].…”