Abstract
A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and degradation value of leaves of three Erythrina species in Lao PDR. The degradability of Erythrina indica, Erythrina subumbrans and Erythrina variegata leaves (including petioles) was assessed by in vitro gas production and in sacco degradation in four 3-year-old fistulated male crossbred goats (Thai native×Boer) weighing 30kg (SD=1.4). Crude protein (CP) content of E. indica leaves was 156g/kg dry matter (DM) significantly lower compared to E. variegata and E. subumbrans (203 and 211g/kg DM). The highest in vitro gas production after 96h incubation (121ml/g DM) and in vitro organic digestibility after 24h incubation (67.2%) were found in E. variegata (P>0.05). Leaves from E. variegata and E. subumbrans had a higher in sacco CP effective degradability than E. indica leaves (P<0.05). Thus E. variegata and E. subumbrans appear to be a better option in terms of nutritive values and degradability.
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