Nutritional properties of some browse species used as goat feed in Pastoral dry lands, Uganda

Abstract

The nutritional properties of leaves of ten browse species commonly used as goat feed in pastoral drylands of Uganda were evaluated by determining their chemical composition and in vitro gas production. Dry matter (DM) content ranged between 896 and 914 g kg−1 DM and was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the browse species. There was a wide variation in the crude protein (CP) content of the browse species. The highest CP values were observed in Acacia compylacantha, Acacia fruiticosa and Acacia senegal, with 365, 247 and 245 g kg−1 DM respectively, while the lowest was observed in Ganisa similis (150 g kg−1 DM). The NDF values were highest in A. senegal (343 g kg−1 DM) and lowest in A. compylacantha (151 g kg−1 DM). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the gas kinetics and total volume of gas produced by the browse species. The calculated organic matter digestibility (OMD) was highest (P < 0.05) in Cadaba farinosa (92.5%) and lowest in Dichrostachys cinerea (72.5%). Similarly, the metabolizable energy (ME) was highest (P < 0.05) in C. farinosa (13.7 MJ kg−1) and lowest in D. cinerea (10.7 MJ kg−1). Total gas had a positive correlation with OMD (r = 0.51, P < 0.05) and ME (r = 0.52, P < 0.01). Strong positive correlation was observed between OMD and ME (r = 0.998, P < 0.001). In conclusion, these browse species have sufficient CP and ME required by growing goats under dryland conditions.