Tropentag, September 20 - 22, 2023, Berlin "Competing pathways for equitable food systems transformation: trade-offs and synergies"

In vitro gas fermentation assessment of shed leaves of some predominant plants as ruminants' forage

¹Tai Solarin University of Education, Agricultural Science, Nigeria
²Lead City University, Microbiology, Nigeria

Abstract

Sometimes, some deciduous plants shed their leaves, which litter the environment and perhaps can be utilised as forage resources. Chemical composition and in vitro gas production parameters of shed leaves from different browse plants (Tamarindus indica, Terminalia catappa, Bambusa vulgaris, Anacardium occidentale and Cola nitida) were investigated. The shed leaves of each plant were picked, cleaned and milled. Chemical composition and in vitro gas production analyses were carried out. Results revealed that significant variations (p < 0.05) in all the parameters considered under chemical composition. Bambusa vulgaris leaf had the highest (93.10%) dry matter content, while Terminalia catappa leaf recorded the lowest (91.82 %). Same trend was observed for crude protein, with Bambusa vulgaris leaf recording the highest (10.90 %) value, while lowest (4.89 %) value was obtained in Terminalia catappa leaf. Neutral detergent fibre ranged significantly (p<0.05) from 52.92 to 61.53 % in Tamarindus indica leaf and Terminalia catappa leaf respectively. Similar pattern was observed for acid detergent fibre (33.13 – 48.95%) and acid detergent lignin (16.48 – 24.12 %). Among the shed leaves, the highest (10.67 ml/200mg DM) gas production (p < 0.05) was obtained in Bambusa vulgaris leaf, while the lowest (6.67 ml/200 mg DM) was recorded for Terminalia catappa leaf. Bambusa vulgaris leaf recorded highest values for ME (4.34 MJ/kg DM), OMD (30.30 %) and SCFA (0.19mmol). The methane volume produced ranged from 2.5 to 4.5ml/200mg DM in Terminalia catappa leaf and Tamarindus indica leaf respectively. It can be concluded that these shed leaves have potential in ruminant nutrition and can be used by ruminant farmers to serve as off season forage in the tropics

Keywords: Chemical composition, in vitro gas production, ruminants, shed leaves

Contact Address: Victor Akinwande, Tai Solarin University of Education, Agricultural Science, Ijagun, 120101 Ijebu-ode, Nigeria, e-mail: akinwandevotasued.edu.ng