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Tropentag, September 17 - 19, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic

"Bridging the gap between increasing knowledge and decreasing resources"


Nutritional Value of two Native Shrub Species That Grow in the Tamaulipan Thornscrub from Mexico

Tilo Gustavo Domínguez Gómez1, Arturo Saul Juárez Reyes1, Maria Andrea Cerrillo Soto1, Maribel Guerrero Cervantes1, Humberto Gonzalez Rodriguez2, Roque G. Ramirez Lozano3, Maria del Socorro Alvarado3

1Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Fac. of Veterinary Medicine, Mexico
2Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Fac. of Forest Sciences, Mexico
3Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Fac. of Biological Sciences, Mexico


Abstract


Due to the dynamic nature of vegetation and the provision of adequate forage for grazing, small ruminants and wildlife experience periods of varying food availability, which affect the ruminant productivity. However, available data on nutritive value of plants and shrubby forages from hot arid climates are not sufficient. The aims of this study were to determine the chemical composition and fermentation kinetics of two native shrubby species (Acacia amentacea, and Parkinsonia texana) and to determine whether the species can meet the maintenance requirements of ruminants in extensive systems. Samples were collected from three undisturbed grazing sites (China, Linares and Los Ramones) of the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Monthly sample recollection of mature leaves through 2009 was undertaken at browsing height (1.5 m) from five individual, randomly selected plants of each species. Forage quality determinations included neutral detergent fiber (NDF), condensed tannins (CT), crude protein (CP), in vitro true organic matter digestibility (IVTOMD), metabolisable energy (ME) and gross energy losses (GEL %, as methane production). The fermentation parameters evaluated were the total gas volume A, the rate constant of gas production c, lag phase L, purines and partitioning factor (PF); all fermentation parameters were estimated with and without PEG (6000). Data were analysed using a one-way analysis of variance with a tri-factorial arrangement, being the factors the sites (3), months (12) and shrub species (2). Values for A. amentacea were higher for NDF (42%), CT (19%), purines (9 µ mol), PF (6.1) and GEL (6.7%), whilst P. texana was higher in CP (18%), IVTOMD (82%), ME (2.1 Mcal kg-1 DM), A (183 ml), c fraction (0.071 /h) and L (0.868 h). Addition of PEG increased the ME values, A, c and L; on the contrary, values of purines and PF diminished. Although the content of CT and GEL are higher in A. amentacea, their values of purines and PF lead to higher microbial protein synthesis. Thus, data suggest that both species could be a good combination for supplying the nutritional requirements for adult small ruminant and wildlife, managed in the Tamaulipan thornscrub.


Keywords: Chemical composition, fermentation parameters, nutritional significance


Contact Address: Arturo Saul Juárez Reyes, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Fac. of Veterinary Medicine, Apartado Postal, 34620 Durango, Mexico, e-mail: ajuarez5215@yahoo.com.mx


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