Chemical Composition, Metabolisable Energy, Organic Matter Digestibility and Methane Production of Some Tannin Containing Forages

Abstract

The aim of the current experiment was to evaluate the chemical composition, gas, methane production, metabolisable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) of some tannin containing hays. There are significant variations among hays in terms of the chemical composition. Crude protein contents of hays ranged from 14.3 to 23.5% with the highest being for Marrubium supinum hay and lowest for Anthyllis circinata hay. Neutral detergent fiber contents of hays ranged from 40.6 to 57.7% with the highest being for Polygonum aviculare hay and lowest for Scorpinus muricatus hay. Acid detergent fiber contents of hays ranged from 22.5 to 32.9% with the highest being for Lotus corniculatus hay and lowest for Scorpinus muricatus hay. Condensed tannin contents of hays ranged from 0.7 to 7.3% with the highest being for Polygonum aviculare hay and lowest for Marrubium supinum hay. Gas production of tannin containing hays ranged from 77.5 and 105.5 ml/0.5 g DM with the highest being for Anthyllis circinata and Scorpinus muricatus, and lowest for Marrubium supinum. Metabolisable energy content of legume hays varied between 7.6 and 9.1 MJ/kg DM with the highest being for Scorpinus muricatus hay and lowest for Cichorium intybus, Bituminaria bituminosa and Marrubium supinum hays. Organic matter digestibility of legume hays varied between 58.2 and 72.4% with the highest being for Scorpinus muricatus hay and lowest for Bituminaria bituminosa hay. The tannin containing hays investigated in the current experiment will provide not only protein but also fiber for ruminant animals. In addition they had low anti-methanogenic potential. The current experiment will provide information for the nutritionist to prepare well balanced diets for ruminants animals. However further in vivo experiments are required to determine the feed intake and anti-methanogenic potential of hays.