Abstract
Simple SummaryThe amaranth plants, one of the crops that can grow in poor soil and areas with extreme weather conditions—high temperature and limited rainfall—showed high potential feed value as forage for ruminants. An extensive study will help extend its utilization as an alternative protein and fiber feed source in cattle feeding. In this study, the nutrient compositions of the three different species of amaranth, Amaranthus caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus, were evaluated. Rumen fluid was incubated with the amaranth plants to evaluate fermentation characteristics (total gas production, total volatile fatty acids concentration, pH, and ammonia concentration). There were no differences among the different amaranth species, but all amaranth showed favorable fermentation values. The effective degradabilities of dry matter and crude protein of the amaranth forages were also determined. Compared to other studies, the effective degradabilities of dry matter (33–56%) and crude protein (27–59%) of the amaranth were lower; these results could be due to the maturity stage at which the forages were harvested. In terms of chemical composition, the amaranth forages showed better nutritive value than the locally produced forages in Chungcheong province of Korea. The amaranth forages showed 11.95–14.19% crude protein (CP), 45.53–70.88% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and 34.17–49.83% acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents. The high nutrient composition, highly effective degradability of dry matter, and crude protein coupled with the favorable fermentation characteristics suggest that the amaranth forages showed good to excellent feed quality to cattle.The amaranth plants showed high potential feed value as forage for ruminants. An in-depth study of this plant, particularly in cattle, will help extend its utilization as an alternative protein and fiber feed source in cattle feeding. In this study, the nutrient compositions of three different species of amaranth, Amaranthus caudatus L., Amaranthus cruentus L., and Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.—two varieties for each species, A.ca 74, A.ca 91, A.cu 62, A.cu 66, A. hy 30, and A. hy 48—were evaluated. The in vitro technique was used to evaluate the fermentation characteristics such as total gas production, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, pH, and ammonia concentration of the rumen fluid. Moreover, the effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM) and crude protein (EDCP) of the amaranth forages were determined through in situ bag technique. The amaranth forages: A. caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus showed better nutritive value than the locally produced forages in Chungcheong province of Korea. The CP of the amaranth ranged from 11.95% to 14.19%, and the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents ranged from 45.53% to 70.88% and 34.17% to 49.83%, respectively. Among the amaranth varieties, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the most excellent ruminant feed nutrient quality (CP, 14.19%; NDF, 45.53%; and ADF, 34.17%). The effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM; 33–56%) and crude protein EDCP (27–59%) of the amaranth were lower compared to other studies, which could be due to the maturity stage at which the forages were harvested. Nonetheless, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the highest EDDM (56.73%) and EDCP (59.09%). The different amaranth species did not differ greatly in terms of total VFA concentration or molar proportions, total gas production, or ammonia-N concentration. The high nutrient composition, and highly effective degradability of dry matter and crude protein, coupled with the favorable fermentation characteristics, suggest that the amaranth forages showed good to excellent feed quality for cattle.
Highlights
The amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is one of the crops that can grow in poor soil and areas with extreme weather conditions—high temperature and limited rainfall
The moisture content (MC) and crude protein (CP) contents were significantly higher in A. hypochondriacus (A. hy) compared to A. caudatus (A.ca) and A. cruentus (A.cu)
The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was significantly higher in A. cruentus than in A. caudatus and A. hypochondriacus, and the acid detergent fiber (ADF) was significantly higher in A. caudatus compared to the other two amaranth species
Summary
The amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is one of the crops that can grow in poor soil and areas with extreme weather conditions—high temperature and limited rainfall. These characteristics make it a valuable plant product, to parts of the world with shortages of water resources. The amaranth has been long ago studied and used for livestock feeding and recently arose in ruminant livestock production when Peiretti [3] reported the highly beneficial nutrients and good fatty acids content the amaranth has, which potentially increase its value as a feedstuff in ruminants. The Amaranth cruentus showed good potential as an energy source for growing lambs but did not affect the weight gain or feed utilization [9]. Studies about Amaranth caudatus showed its value as feedstuff in rabbits and poultry nutrition
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