Nutritional evaluation of grasses and top foliages through in vitro system of sheep and goat for silvipasture system

Abstract

Five species each of grass, shrubs and tree leaves were evaluated for nutritive value by in vitro gas production (IVGP) techniques using sheep and/or goat rumen inoculums. Average CP of shrubs and tree leaves was (P<0.05) higher than grasses. NDF, ADF and cellulose contents were lower (P<0.05) in shrubs and tree leaves than grasses. Mean cumulative gas production (ml/g) at 72h was (P<0.05) higher on shrubs than grasses in sheep and goat inoculums. IVGP from grasses, shrubs and tree leaves was more on goat than sheep inoculum. IVGP was more on Dichanthium annulatum (DA), Securengia virosa (SV) and Anogeissus pendulla (AP) on either sheep or goat inoculum. Average CP degradability of shrubs and tree leaves was higher (P<0.05) than grasses in goat inoculum. Mean in vitro degradability of NDF and ADF in rumen inoculums of sheep and goat was higher (P<0.05) for grasses than shrubs and tree leaves. Mean IVDMD of shrubs and tree leaves was higher (P<0.05) than grasses in goat rumen inoculum. The IVDMD of grasses; Cenchrus ciliaris (CC) and DA, shrubs; SV and Helictris isora (HI) and tree leaves; Leucaena leucocephala (LL) and Grewia optiva (GO) was higher (P<0.05) in rumen inoculums of sheep and goat. In vitro TVFA production in sheep and goat inoculums was higher (P<0.05) from grasses than shrubs and tree leaves. Total-N and NH3 -N concentration was lower (P<0.05) for grasses than tree leaves and shrubs. DA, CC among grasses, SV, HI among shrubs and LL, GO among tree leaves found nutritionally superior and may be used for silvi-pastures.