Feeding Value and in vitro Digestibility of Date-Palm Leaves Supplemented with Different Supplementary Energy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feeding value and also the effect of different supplementary energy on increasing in vitro DM digestibility of date-palms leaves obtained in pruning. A randomized complete design with different energy supplementary with 3 replicates was conducted. Harvested date-palm leaves were air-dried, ground through a 5 mm screen, then palm leaves (L) ensiled with different levels of urea (U) and other supplementary energy. Combination, mixture was packed tightly in 21 (10 L) plastic containers. The containers were opened after a fermentation of 60 days. Treatments consisting: L (Palm leaves)+5% U (urea) (T1), L+5% U+5% BP (Beet pulp) (T2), L+5% U+10% BP (T3), L+5% U+5% M (Molasses) (T4), L+5% U+10% M (T5), L+5% U+5% CP (Citrus pulp) (T6) and L+%5 U+10% CP (T7). The results of this experiment showed that supplementation of date-palm leaves with energy supplements significantly (p < 0.05) increased IVDMD and T5 had higher digestibility than those of the other treatments. ADF content of silage was not affected by dietary treatments. However, NDF content was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by treatments and T2 and T6 had higher NDF content compared with the other treatments. Supplementation of palm leaves with energy supplementary had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on Crude Protein (CP) content of silages. However, these supplements had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on calcium and phosphorus levels of silage materials and T7 had higher Ca and P content compared with the other treatments. In conclusion, supplementation of date-palm leaves with energy supplements can improve IVDMD and feeding value of this feed source.