Abstract
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential nutritive value of five legume forages (leaves and twigs) in West Sumatra during wet and dry seasons. The chemical composition, in vitro dry matter (IVDMD), organic matter (IVOMD) and crude protein digestibility (IVCPD), in vitro gas characteristics and estimated metabolizable energy (ME) showed variation among legume forages and between different seasons. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 14.2 to 27.8% DM in the wet season, with a significant (p<0.05) reduction in dry season. C. pubescens, G. maculata, L. leucocephala and P. phaseloides showed the least reduction in CP content. The NDF, ADF and lignin were about 39.0, 26.5 and 6.1% DM, respectively in the wet season, and significantly (p<0.05) increased in the dry season, except for NDF of C. mucunoides and C. pubescens. For IVDMD, IVOMD and IVCPD significantly increased in the wet season, but values remained as high as over 50.0% of DM. The in vitro gas characteristics and metabolizable energy were significantly (p<0.05) higher in wet season than the dry season. During both seasons, the rate of constant (c) for G. maculata and ME content for C. pubescens and P. phaseloides were not significantly (p<0.05). Results demonstrated that P. phaseloides and L. leucocephala have a good nutritive value during both wet and dry seasons. Further studies on feeding trials are needed to quantify the animal responses when offered these legume forages. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 8 : 1107-1111)
Highlights
There are many areas in Indonesia that are characterized by dense population of livestock and one of these areas in west Sumatra
75% of the nutrient requirements for ruminants in Indonesia, which are estimated at an increment of 3.94% per year was
The study was conducted in West Sumatra an area of Indonesia which is located in Padang
Summary
There are many areas in Indonesia that are characterized by dense population of livestock and one of these areas in west Sumatra. Animal keeping in the west Sumatra is a major and the most important source of income for the majority of the population. At the time when grazing offers animals only dry grasses at its least palatable and poor feeding value in dry season, the legume species could be the main constitute of livestock feed. This role of the legume species become more important as the Animal Husbandry, Andalas University, 25163, Indonesia
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