The nutritive value of Prangos ferulacea

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and nutritive value of Prangos ferulacea, a plant found in the Mediterranean and Middle-east regions, where it is used as animal fodder. Samples of mature plants were collected from S.E. Turkey. Metabolizable energy (ME) values were estimated from in vitro gas production measurements and from chemical composition. ME concentrations of the whole plant, leaves and stems were estimated to be 12AE2, 11AE9 and 12AE7 MJ kg )1 dry matter (DM) respectively, which compares favourably with high-quality forages commonly used in ruminant feeding. The DM degradability of the whole plant, leaves and stems increased up until 48 h of in situ incubation, 866, 915 and 784 g kg )1 DM respectively, but changed little between 48 and 72 h. In vitro DM and organic matter digestibility of the whole plant, leaves and stems were 0AE769 and 0AE806, 0AE773 and 0AE790, and 0AE740 and 0AE840 respectively. The results show that P. ferulacea may be regarded as a high-energy forage, but further research is needed on its intake characteristics and the levels of animal performance that can be achieved from its inclusion in the diet.

Determination of nutrient content and digestibility characteristics ofPrangos ferulacea (L.) on grazing lands of Eastern Anatolia

“…The finding of Coşkun et al (2) in terms of energy value of P. ferulacea confirmed the results of the current study. The metabolizable energy value (ME, MJ/ kg) reported by Coşkun et al (2) was calculated using the following equations: ME (MJ kg -1 DM): 2.20 + 0.136GP + 0.0057 CP + 0.00029 EE 2 The higher CP content observed in this study could be due to two reasons: this plant has at least 4 varieties and varieties may differ in nutrient content (12). P. ferulacea used in this study was collected from mountains in the form of fresh plants in June and air dried in the laboratory so that nutrient loss due to environmental factors during drying was minimal.…”

“…vitro digestibility and ME energy value (2.895 Mcal/kg) were considerably high, indicating a significantly higher nutrient value for forage. Moreover, Coşkun et al (2) noted that even though P. ferulacea is a forage, it has a high energy value that is comparable to that of cereal grains such as barley. The finding of Coşkun et al (2) in terms of energy value of P. ferulacea confirmed the results of the current study.…”

“…Moreover, Coşkun et al (2) noted that even though P. ferulacea is a forage, it has a high energy value that is comparable to that of cereal grains such as barley. The finding of Coşkun et al (2) in terms of energy value of P. ferulacea confirmed the results of the current study. The metabolizable energy value (ME, MJ/ kg) reported by Coşkun et al (2) was calculated using the following equations: ME (MJ kg -1 DM): 2.20 + 0.136GP + 0.0057 CP + 0.00029 EE 2 The higher CP content observed in this study could be due to two reasons: this plant has at least 4 varieties and varieties may differ in nutrient content (12).…”

“…It is claimed that it is utilized for ruminal development of lambs and has very high nutritive value. The work by Coşkun et al (2) seemed to prove the claims of farmers. In the only study conducted about P. ferulacea in Turkey, Coşkun et al (2) noted that neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of P. ferulacea were quite low; however, its energy value was significantly greater when compared to that of alfalfa.…”

“…The work by Coşkun et al (2) seemed to prove the claims of farmers. In the only study conducted about P. ferulacea in Turkey, Coşkun et al (2) noted that neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of P. ferulacea were quite low; however, its energy value was significantly greater when compared to that of alfalfa. In another study, carried out in Iran, substituting alfalfa with P. ferulacea at varying levels had no negative effect on the fattening performance of lambs (3).…”