Dry Matter Digestibility Values Research Articles

The Release of Organic Acids and Low Molecular Weight Carbohydrates from Matcha Tea After In Vitro Digestion

Background/Objectives: This study tested the influence of in vitro digestion on the release of organic acids and low molecular weight saccharides of matcha. Methods: The concentrations of analytes in the raw and undigested portion of matcha were measured using HPLC with spectrometric and refractometric detection to establish their residual values after a two-step enzymatic digestion that was finally presented as a retention factor. Results: It was established that dry matter digestibility values after simulated gastric and both gastric and intestinal phases were 67.3 and 85.9%, respectively. Native matcha, citric acid (44.8 mg/g), malic acid (32.2 mg/g), trehalose (36.1 mg/g), and L-arabinose (8.20 mg/g) reached the highest values and were predominant, whereas D-fructose, xylose, maltose, and saccharose were not detected. Regarding gastric phase digestion, succinic and malic acids, trehalose and D-glucose were the worst-releasing compounds and their remaining factors reached 34, 19, 18, and 50%, respectively, whereas L-arabinose was completely released. Focusing on gastric and small intestinal digestion, the least-releasing compounds of matcha tea leaves were succinic acid and trehalose, with their retention factors at 7 and 13%, which can proceed with the leaf matrix to the large intestine. Conclusions: Malic, oxalic, and citric acids, the carbohydrates D-glucose, L-arabinose, and L-rhamnose, are almost entirely released from matcha tea during digestion in the stomach and small intestine and can be available for absorption in the small intestine. In the measurement of oxalic acid, considering that the process of shading tea leaves increases the concentration of this acid and its retention factor value is too small, it would be appropriate in the future to evaluate the recommended maximum daily intake of matcha tea for people sensitive to the formation of urinal stones.

Comparison of Different Linseed Genotypes Meal in Terms of Feed Value Properties

This study was conducted to determine the nutritional content and nutritive values of some varieties of linseed meal. For this purpose, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), crude ash (CA), and crude protein (CP) analyses were performed on meals obtained from 13 different linseed varieties (Clli 1423, Larkana, Milas, NewTurk, Dillman, Sari-85, Clli 1351, Clli 1370, Clli 1400, Clli 1412, Karakız, Beyaz Gelin, Noreum) in order to determine some nutritional content. Based on some data obtained from these analyses, nutritive values such as dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy for lactation (NEL) were calculated. In terms of nutritional content, the NDF, ADF, ADL, and CP contents of linseed meals were found to be significant, while the CA content was not found to be significant. The NDF, ADF, ADL, and CP contents of the meal varied within the ranges of %58.40-96.37, %18.62-35.64, %8.55-20.45, and %34.84-41.21, respectively. In terms of nutritive value characteristics, the DMD, ME, and NEL properties of linseed meal were found to be significant, while the DMI and RFV features were deemed insignificant. The DMD, ME, and NEL values of the meal varied within the ranges of %61.14-74.39, 9.35-11.91 MJ/kg, and 1.37-1.81 Mcal/kg, respectively. In conclusion, it was determined that among the linseed varieties, the highest results in terms of both nutritional content and nutritive value were provided by the NewTurk variety, while the worst results were generally observed in the Beyaz Gelin variety. However, it was concluded that the meals from all evaluated linseed varieties could be utilized in the intensive feed industry.

PSXIII-22 Intake, digestibility, and ruminal parameters of Nellore cattle fed with amylolytic and fibrolytic enzymes in feedlot

Abstract This study was carried out to evaluate the use of dietary exogenous enzyme (ENZ) products with amylolytic and fibrolytic activity on nutrient intake, digestibility, and ruminal volatile fatty acids production (VFA) of Nellore cattle in feedlot. Rumen-cannulated Nellore steers [n = 10; body weight (BW) = 543 kg ± 28.6 BW] were distributed in a replicated Latin-square design (5 × 5) in individual pens. The treatments consisted of a negative control (CON; without ENZ); Amylase (AML; Amaize, Alltech, 0.5 g/kg of DM); Xylanase (FBL, Fibrozyme, Alltech, 0.9 g/kg of DM); Half dose (HD; AML 0.25 g/kg of diet DM and FBL 0.45 g/kg of diet DM); and Full dose (FD; AML 0.5 g/kg of diet DM and FBL 0.90 g/kg of diet DM; Table 1). The experimental period lasted 19 d (14 d of adaptation and 5 d of collection). Between d 15 and 18, total fecal collection was performed and on d 19 rumen fluid was collected at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 h post-feeding for ammonia, VFA, and pH determination. The data were analyzed as orthogonal contrasts using SAS: (C1) CON vs. ENZ, (C2) AML vs. FBL, (C3) HD vs. FD, and (C4) AML + FBL vs. HD + FD. There were no C1 differences for nutrient digestibility, total VFA, or ruminal pH (P > 0.10). However, a tendency effect in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake (P = 0.065) was observed, where animals fed ENZ had reduced values compared with animals kept in CON group. In the same way, ENZ reduced ther extract (EE) intake (P = 0.023), ruminal ammonia (P < 0.001), and isovalerate proportion (P = 0.080) as well as increased proportion of acetate (P < 0.001), valerate (P < 0.001) and acetate:propionate ratio (P = 0.030). No differences were observed in nutrient intake between AML and FBL (P > 0.10), but AML had greater organic matter (OM) digestibility (P = 0.097) and ruminal valerate (P = 0.039) and decreased butyrate proportion (P = 0.068). Animals that received FD had greater values of dry matter (DM; P = 0.009) and OM (P < 0.001) digestibility than HD. The enzyme combination resulted in greater DM (P = 0.026), OM (P = 0.062), crude protein (P = 0.018), EE (P = 0.063) and NDF (P = 0.040) intake and reduced OM digestibility (P = 0.008) compared with AML and FBL alone. The addition of exogenous enzymes in feedlot diets affected nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation of Nellore cattle fed a feedlot finishing diet.

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE NUTRIENT VALUES OF DIFFERENT PRODUCTS FROM PROCESSED MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAVES

The study was carried out to determine the nutrient values of different products of Moringa oleifera leaves after processing. The experiment entailed comparison of M. oleifera fresh leaf, M. oleifera leaf residue, M. oleifera leaf protein concentrate and M. oleifera sediment, each treatment had three replicates. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design and the data obtained for the study was subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Result shows that the highest (p<0.05) values of dry matter, ether extract, ash and crude protein contents were recorded for M. oleifera leaf residue, sediment, fresh leaves and leaf concentrate, respectively, while the leaf residue had significantly higher (p<0.05) neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and hemicellulose contents above other treatments. The highest significant (p<0.05) values of organic matter were recorded for M. oleifera leaf residue (95.00 %) and sediments (96.50 %), while leaf protein concentrate had the highest (p<0.05) significant values for dry matter digestibility, dry matter intake, relative feed value and cell content above other treatments. The results of the present study indicated that all the products of processed M. oleifera had an appreciable nutritive value with high digestibility. However, better nutrient availability was observed in M. oleifera leaf protein concentrate when compared with other products after processing.

NUTRIENT DIGESTIBLITY AND INTAKE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED DIET CONTAINING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SWEET ORANGE PEELS AND GAMBA GRASS

Nine male West African Dwarf bucks (WAD)having an average weight of 6.77kg and about 5-7 months of age were used to evacuate the apparent nutrient digestibility of diets containing graded levels of sweet orange peel meal (SOPM) in a completely randomized design. Three treatment diets were formulated and compounded, that is treatment 1,2 and 3 to contain 0%, 75% and 85% SOPM. Animals were daily fed with 150g of the concentrate supplements whereas the grass was fed ad libitum. Results of apparent nutrient digestibility showed that dry matter (DM), crude protein(CP), crude fibre(CF), nitrogen free extracts (NFE) and ether extracts (EE) were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the treatments, values of DM digestibility ranged between 62.17-69.73%. Dry matter intake (DMI) was between 176.62- 195.61g/day, apart from DMI there seemed to be slight numerical decrease in the values of the other parameters from T1-T3 as the level of replacement of maize offal increased. Sweet orange peel meal can replace maize offal up to 85% level without negative effect on digestibility of nutrient or intake.

Potential use of dried persimmon (Diospyros kaki) byproducts as feed sources for ruminants.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and palatability of dried persimmon byproducts (persimmon peel [PP] and damaged whole persimmons [WP]) ensiled with rice straw in different mixing ratios. PP and WP were ensiled with rice straw at ratios of 3:7 (PP3R7, WP3R7), 5:5 (PP5R5, WP5R5), 7:3 (PP7R3, WP7R3), and 8:2 (PP8R2, WP8R2) for 70 d. WP3R7 had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein and lactate contents compared to the other combinations. On the other hand, PP3R7 and PP8R2 had lower concentrations of neutral and acid-detergent fibers (p < 0.05) and produced lower amounts of ammonia-N (p < 0.05). The silages were compared to rice straw silage (RS), maize silage (MS), whole-crop rye silage (WCRS), and sorghum-sudangrass silage (SSGS) during an in vitro study. The results showed that PP8R2 and WP7R3 had higher (p < 0.05) dry matter digestibility values than RS, MS, WCRS, and SSGS in a 6 h incubation period. In addition, a palatability test of the silages was conducted on Hanwoo cattle, goats, and deer, using the cafeteria method. The palatability index rate of PP7R3 was the highest (p < 0.05) for the goats and the Hanwoo cattle, whereas PP8R2 had the highest (p < 0.05) rate for the deer and the Hanwoo cattle. In conclusion, dried persimmon byproducts in the form of PP and WPs can be used as ruminant feed when ensiled with RS at ratios of 7:3 and 8:2.

Nutrient utilization, growth performance, and antioxidative status of Barki lambs fed diets supplemented with black (Nigella sativa) and rocket (Eruca sativa) seeds

The current study aimed to determine the polyphenol compounds in Nigella sativa (NS) and Eruca sativa (ES) seeds, and evaluate the impact of their addition either as a sole additive or in combination on the growth performance, digestibility, some rumen and blood parameters and antioxidative status of Barki lambs. Forty-eight male lambs (27.18 ± 0.22 kg, 5–6 months), were divided into 4 balanced groups. The experimental diets were randomly distributed to the control group (CON); fed alfalfa hay plus concentrate feed mixture at a ratio of 30:70% without additives, while, NSD, ESD, and NESD groups: fed CON diet plus 2% NS, 2% ES or 1% NS + 1% ES, respectively as a ratio from total mixed ration (TMR). Results indicated that rutin and catechin were the most phenolic compounds observed either in NS or ES seeds. The NS and ES-supplemented groups recorded the highest (P < 0.05) values for dry matter digestibility, nutritive values, average daily gain, and the best feed conversion ratio. However, growth performance, nutritive value, and all nutrient digestibility except for dry matter were not significantly altered with the NESD group. Concentrations of ruminal NH3-N and TVFA were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with the NESD group, with no significant differences in pH values among different groups. Values of blood parameters showed significant increases in WBCs, PCV, and T-AOC, and decreases in cholesterol, triglycerides, and MDA with the addition of NS and ES seeds or both. Therefore, the addition of NS and ES seeds is recommended to improve lambs’ health and antioxidant status.

100 Can in vitro or in situ disappearance predict to in vivo digestibility of forages?

Abstract Though much effort has been made to characterize the in vivo (IV) and in situ (IS) dry matter digestibility (DMD) of southeastern forages, there is a lack of information identifying methods that best represent the in vivo digestibility of these forages. Thus, the objective of our study was to compare IV and IS methods to determine which technique best represents the in vivo DMD of four bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) cultivars. In an IV experiment, ruminally fistulated heifers (n = 4) were randomly assigned to one of four bermudagrass cultivars (Coastal [COS], Russell [RUS], Tifton 44 [T44], or Tifton 85 [T85]) for four 30-d in vivo periods (21-d adaptation and 9-d collection) in a Latin square design. On d 28 of each period, rumen fluid was collected 4 h post-feeding for an accompanying IV experiment using a completely randomized design with a 4 × 2 factorial treatment structure. Factors in the IV experiment included bermudagrass cultivar (COS, RUS, T44, and T85) and digestibility method (Tilley and Terry [TT] or Goering and Van Soest [GVS]). On d 31 of in vivo periods 3 and 5, an accompanying IS experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three treatment factors (in vivo diet [previous described], bermudagrass cultivar [previously described], and incubation timepoint [0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h]). Correlations were computed between in vivo DM disappearance and each of the IV (TT and GVS) and IS (24, 48, and 72 h) methods. Regressions were calculated for each of the individual IV and IS measurements, and a stepwise regression was used to determine the predictive value of linear combinations of the measurements. None of the IV or IS DMD values were correlated with in vivo DMD (P ≥ 0.18). Individual IV and IS DMD values did not yield significant models through linear regression (P ≥ 0.18), though the best model (based on AIC) was TT IVDMD (r2 = 0.09; P = 0.26). Stepwise regression revealed that there was no linear combination of IV or IS DMD that improved prediction beyond single predictor models. While both IV and IS experiments remain viable tools to screen forages and make relative comparisons, results from this experiment are interpreted to mean that neither of these methods is suitable for prediction of in vivo performance.

Evaluating complete silage for goat feeding in Gorontalo, Indonesia

Forage shortages and inconsistent quality in developing countries pose significant challenges to the small ruminant sector. Feeding ruminants with conserved forages is crucial to address this issue and ensure successful ruminant management in developing countries. The use of sorghum crops mixed with grasses as fermentation feed has gained thought because of its high protein efficiency, relatively high digestible energy, and total digestible nutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance in Gorontalo local goats fed complete silage with varying levels of mixed concentrations of sorghum straw with grasses. Sixteen male Gorontalo local goats were preferred from the local area and randomly divided into four groups using a completely randomized design (CRD). Over 84 days, four different complete silage diets (T1, T2, T3, and T4) were given to goats. The goats' daily nutrient intake, digestibility, and growth performance were analyzed. The T1 diet consisted of 30% grass and 60% sorghum straw, the T2 diet included 20% grass and 70% sorghum straw, the T3 diet contained 10% grass and 60% sorghum straw, and the T4 diet had no grass and 90% sorghum straw. The study found that the dry matter intake (DMI) of goats ranged from 330.2 to 335.1 g/day, approximately 3% of their body weight. The digestibility values of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and energy decreased as the amount of sorghum straw in the silage rations increased. The average daily gain (ADG) (gr/day) in T1, T2, T3, and T4 was affected, with T1 showing the highest ADG (43.2) and T4 showing the lowest (40.3). The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) value was also influenced, with T1 and T2 showing the best FCR (7.8 and 7.7) and T3 showing the worst (8.2). Based on these findings, it is recommended to limit the amount of sorghum straw to 60%-70% in complete silage for local goats in Gorontalo, especially in tropical areas where goats are common and sorghum is readily available.

Novel quality feed from a wasted resource: measuring the nutritional value of low-glycoalkaloids potato haulm in sheep

This study evaluated the potential of low-glycoalkaloid potato haulm (LGPH) as a high-quality feed for ruminants. The low-glycoalkaloid potato plants were grown in a net house following standard agricultural practices. Dehaulming was performed a fortnight before the harvest of the tubers, as commercially practiced. Four healthy female lambs (aged 4 months) were employed in a 4×4 Latin square feeding experiment design. The lambs were fed with either a maintenance diet consisting of 73% roughage (control), or treatment diets with supplementation of 10% (P10), 15% (P15), and 20% (P20) LGPH on a dry matter (DM) basis for a period of 21 days, including 14 days of adaption and 7 days of sampling. Refusals and feces were collected for 6 days and pooled followed by a 24 h urine collection on the 7th day. On the 6th day, an hour after morning feeding, blood, and rumen liquid samples were collected. All the samples were analysed, and the data generated were analysed using ANOVA with diet and period as fixed effects and sheep as a random effect. Orthogonal contrasts were used to detect linear and quadratic effects of LGPH in the diet. Linear or polynomial equations were produced to extract the nutrient digestibility and metabolizable energy (ME) of LGPH. No toxicological clinical signs were observed, and the haematology profiles were normal throughout the trial. LGPH did not affect the daily intake of nutrients and energy. However, the apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and gross energy increased (P= 0.01) linearly (P&amp;lt; 0.01) with supplementation of LGPH in the diet. The inclusion of LGPH had a quadratic effect on neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (P= 0.027), reaching a peak of 54.8 % at 12.3 % LGPH supplement on a DM basis. The N retention in lambs fed with the P20 diet was nearly twice that of the control diet (P= 0.032; 19.1 vs. 10.2 g/d). The computed digestibility values of DM, OM, CP, and NDF for LGPH were 76.1, 79.7, 84.2, and 72.1 %, respectively, and ME was 2.62 Mcal/kg DM. Conclusively, by significantly reducing the glycoalkaloids’ content in potato haulm, we can safely repurpose the currently wasted foliage as a new source of high-quality roughage feed for ruminants, equivalent to alfalfa hay, without imposing any additional environmental burden. However, further research is necessary to assess impact of LGPH on growth performance, and milk productivity before practical application on commercial farms.

Benefits of fire in shrub control in the grasslands of the monte province, Rio Negro, Argentina

In the grasslands in the NE of Río Negro province, Argentina controlled burning or mechanical clearing are common practices to reduce the shrub layer and improve the forage supply of the grasslands that constitute the basis of extensive livestock breeding. In one area of the region, we estimated the Aerial Net Primary Productivity (ANPP) and evaluated the quality of the dominant grasses over three years in grasslands subjected to mechanical clearing and burning, through seasonal cuts of biomass and laboratory analysis. We also recorded the phenology of the dominant grasses and shrubs. We obtained higher values of Crude Protein and Dry Matter Digestibility of the grasses in spring, since they were mainly in the vegetative stage, and the differences were significantly greater in the burned site. This effect of fire would be due both to the regrowth and to the increase in the proportion of vegetative material generated by this disturbance. Mechanical clearing had no significant effects on quality, although it increased the ANPP. When analyzing phenological behavior, our results showed better conditions for livestock production in the disturbed sites, with a higher proportion of vegetative growth of the grasses and greater senescence of the shrubs.

Studi Kecernaan dan Konsumsi Pakan pada Kambing Peranak Etawah Jantan Muda yang diberi Pakan Hijauan Mengandung Tannin Kondensasi

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using various levels of forage sengon leaves (Albizia falcataria) as a source of condensed tannin on dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), digestible dry matter intake (DDMI), digestible organic matter intake (DOMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), and organic matter digestibility (OMD). This study used sixteen young male ettawa cross-breed goats aged 8–12 months with an average body weight range of 19±1.8 kg. The study was arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) with four treatments and four bodyweight groups as replicates. Diet treatments consisted of R0: 60% Brachiaria mutica (BM) + 0% A. falcataria (AF) Leaf + 40% Concentrate (CON), R1: 50% BM + 10% AF Leaf + 40% Concentrate, R2: 40% BM + 20% AF Leaf + 40% CON, and R3: 30% BM + 30% AF Leaf + 40% CON. The results showed that the use of sengon leaves as a source of condensed tannin in diets significantly (P 0.05) reduced DMI, OMI, DDMI, and DOMI but did not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) affect DMD and OMD values. This study concluded that AF leaf as a forage source containing condensed tannin made up as much as 30%, or equivalently, 50%, of the forage in the diet of young male ettawa cross-breed goats without having any effect on diet intake or digestibility.

Variety and Digestibility of Forages Fed to Sacrificial-goats: A Preliminary Study in Mataram City

The study evaluated the variety and digestibility of forages fed to sacrificial-goats in Mataram. The study was carried out by direct observation method. A total of 20 points vendors selling sacrificial goats were used as sampling locations. From all stall selling point, all types of forage as feed were collected. The collected feed samples were identified and tested for digestibility. The results showed that Turi (Sesbania glandiflora) leaves had the highest Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD), which was 65.54%, compared to the DMD of other forage samples, while the lowest DMD was obtained of Gayam (Inocarpus fagifer) leaves, which was 24.86% (P&lt;0.05). As with the DMD value, the highest organic matter digestibility (OMD) was by Turi (61.08%) and the lowest OMD obtain by Gayam which had an OMD value of 11.85% (P&lt;0.05). The OMD of Waru leaves (48.68%) was not different but does not show any difference of Ketapang (Terminalia catappa) leaves (44.73%). It was concluded that among the ten forages offered by vendor to sacrificial-goats; by order of their digestibility, Turi (Sesbania glandiflora), Waru, (Hibiscus tiliaceus), and Ketapang (Terminalia catappa) leaves produced the highest DMD and OMD.

Expression and characterization of α-L-arabinofuranosidase derived from Aspergillus awamori and its enzymatic degradation of corn byproducts with xylanase

In this study, α-L-arabinofuranosidase (AF) from Aspergillus awamori was heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris X33, with a 1-fold increase in AF activity after codon and vector optimization. AF remained stable at 60–65 °C and displayed a broad pH stability range of 2.5–8.0. It also demonstrated considerable resistance to pepsin and trypsin. Furthermore, compared with xylanase alone, AF with xylanase exhibited a marked synergistic effect in the degradation of expanded corn bran, corn bran, and corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles, reducing sugars by 3.6-fold, 1.4-fold, and 6.5-fold, respectively, with the degree of synergy increasing to 4.61, 2.44, and 5.4, respectively, while in vitro dry matter digestibility values were 17.6%, 5.2%, and 8.8%, respectively. After enzymatic saccharification, corn byproducts were converted to prebiotic xylo-oligosaccharides and arabinoses, thereby demonstrating the favorable properties of AF in the degradation of corn biomass and its byproducts.

Forage Accumulation and Nutritional Characteristics of Brachiaria Cultivars Grown in a Semi-arid Environment

The evaluation of the nutritional value and parameters of ruminal fermentation of tropical forages is important, aiming at its efficient use in ruminant feeding. This study was developed to evaluate the forage accumulation, chemical composition, protodioscin content, digestibility, and in vitro degradation kinetics of different Brachiaria spp. cultivars in different evaluation periods. The research was carried out in the semi-arid region of Brazil, from April 2016 to April 2017. The experiment was laid out as a split-plot arrangement in a randomized block design in which five cultivars ( B. decumbens cv. Basilisk, and B. brizantha cvs. Marandu, Paiaguás, Piatã, and Xaraés) represented the plot and four evaluation periods (establishment, transition, dry, and rainy) the subplot. There was a cultivar × period interaction effect for forage accumulation rate (FAR), for which cv. Xaraés showed the highest mean (54.1 kg/ha.day DM) in the rainy season. The lowest yield was found in cv. Paiaguás in the dry season (24.1 kg/ha.day DM). Cultivars Basilisk, Marandu, and Paiaguás had the highest crude protein content. The highest in vitro dry matter digestibility values were found in cv. Basilisk in the dry, transition, and rainy periods; cv. Marandu in the transition period, and cvs. Paiaguás and Piatã in their establishment. A correlation was found between the parameters of in vitro degradation kinetics and chemical composition. The protodioscin content was highest in cv. Basilisk, during its establishment (5.5 g/kg DM). Cultivars Paiaguás, Piatã, and Xaraés showed low protodioscin values (<1.0 g/kg DM). Cultivars Basilisk, Marandu, Paiaguás, Piatã, and Xaraés can be used as forage options in the semi-arid environment, as their forage accumulation potential and nutritional value are suitable for animal production even in periods of lower water availability.

Evaluation of the Pampa Corte model for predicting dry matter intake and digestibility by sheep fed tropical forages

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of the Pampa Corte model associated to an in vitro gas technique as a tool for predicting dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility by sheep fed tropical forages. In addition, the adequacy of the Pampa Corte in predicting DM intake was also compared to NRC (2007). Individual data (n = 154) of observed DM intake and digestibility, as well as of body weight and chemical composition of consumed diet, were obtained from ten digestibility trials conducted with male growing wethers housed in metabolic cages and fed ad libitum tropical grasses associated or not with tropical legumes. Individual observations of each variable were averaged by treatment (n = 25) within trials, which were then compared to values predicted by the Pampa Corte or NRC models through concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and regression analyses. The prediction of DM intake by Pampa Corte resulted in higher CCC (0.95 vs. 0.68) and R2 values (0.92 vs 0.74) than by NRC. Moreover, the slope of the linear regression between observed and predicted values was not different from 1 for Pampa Corte whereas it was lower than 1 for NRC (P < 0.05). The intercept of both linear relationships was not different from 0. Observed values of DM digestibility were linearly related to those predicted by Pampa Corte model (P < 0.05) with a low CCC (i.e. 0.54). In conclusion, the Pampa Corte model was adequate in predicting DM intake by sheep fed tropical forages, showing a better predictive performance than NRC (2007). However, DM digestibility was underpredicted by the Pampa Corte model.

Agronomic, nutritive value, reproductive, cytogenetic, and molecular aspects of Paspalum accessions: Contribution to the development of new forage cultivars

AbstractThis study investigated the agronomic, nutritive value, cytogenetic, molecular, and reproductive aspects of twenty‐five Paspalum accessions to support breeding programs. The agronomic aspects and the nutritive value were evaluated in a randomized block experimental design with four replications, and with monthly repeated measures for 2 years. For the molecular characterization 16 microsatellite markers developed for different Paspalum species in previous works were used. The number of chromosomes was determined by visualizing the meiotic cells and the DNA content was determined by flow cytometry. The embryo sac clarification technique was used to characterize the reproductive system. The results indicated genetic variability for all the variables related to yield and nutritive value. For almost all variables, the values of Paspalum accessions were higher than those of the commercial cultivars Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tanzania and Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, used as references. However, the accessions showed in vitro dry matter digestibility values lower than the mean value presented by the references. The groups formed in the molecular analysis showed correspondence to the groups observed in the principal components analysis, considering the variables related to yield and nutritive value. Most accessions were revealed to be tetraploid with 40 chromosomes and most accessions belonging to the Virgata group displayed a sexual embryo sac structure. Some crosses can be indicated for genetic breeding, due to a superior genomic affinity between the accessions and the higher probability of heterosis in the progeny. These results provide subsidies to genetic plant breeding programs that use these accessions.

Forage production, morphogenetic and structural components, and nutritional value of tropical grasses in the semiarid condition

The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage mass, morphogenetic and structural characteristics, and nutritional value of tropical forage grasses in semiarid conditions. Nine grasses were evaluated, namely, three cultivars of Urochloa brizantha (Marandu, MG4, and Piatã); Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk; Urochloa humidicola cv. Llanero; Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy; and three cultivars of Megathyrsus maximum (Massai, Mombaça, and Tanzania). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement in which the main factor were the grass cultivars and the secondary factor the seasons, with five replications per treatment. The statistical model included the fixed effect of treatment (grass), whereas the season was included as a random effect within treatments. Urochloa brizantha cvs. Marandu, MG4, and Piatã and Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk produced on average 858 kg ha-1 more forage mass than cvs. Kennedy and Basilisk. Megathyrsus maximum cv. Mombaça produced 40% more forage mass than the other cultivars of M. maximum (4205 vs. 3001 kg ha-1). Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy showed the lowest water use efficiency (36%). Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy exhibited the lowest leaf weight among the Urochloa cultivars (740 vs. 1319 kg ha-1). There was no treatment effect for leaf weight in the M. maximum cultivars. Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy showed the highest values of total digestible nutrients and dry matter digestibility (1.84 and 2.34%, respectively) among the other Urochloa cultivars. The M. maximum cultivars showed little differences in nutritional values. Cultivars Marandu, Piatã, and Massai exhibited better productive responses in the edaphoclimatic conditions of this study. However, future studies must be conducted evaluating the adaptation of the forage grass under semiarid conditions. Considering the settings of this study, the grasses Urochloa brizantha cvs. MG4, Marandu, and Piatã, as well as Megathyrsus maximum cvs. Massai and Mombaça, can be used in the semiarid condition.

Chemical, mineral composition, in vitro ruminal fermentation and buffering capacity of some rangeland-medicinal plants

A diverse group of rangeland-medicinal plants are being used by ruminant whilst some of them have not been assessed for their nutritional value. This study was aimed to evaluate the chemical and mineral composition, buffering capacity, and in vitro fermentation of some rangeland-medicinal plants including Thymus kotschyanus, Ziziphora persica, Lallemantia royleana, and Scutellaria litwinowii in the family Lamiaceae, and Hypericum scabrum, in the family Hypericaceae. The results indicated that crude protein (CP) content ranged from 8.66% (S. litwinowii) to 12.17% of DM (H. scabrum). It was found that Z. persica had the highest potential gas production, metabolism energy (ME), relative feed value (RFV), and dry matter digestibility (DMD) values of 53.44 (mL 200-1 mg DM), 5.84 (MJ kg-1 DM), 170.66 and 70.88%, respectively. Mineral content differed among plants; Ca ranged from 5.79 to 41.96 g kg-1 DM. The concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Co were highest for L. royleana. Total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and propionate concentrations were highest in the culture medium cultured with Z. persica, however, acetate, and butyrate were highest in H. scabrum. Acid-base buffering capacity was lower in T. kotschyanus and H. scabrum compared to other plants, while it was higher in S. litwinowii. Overall, it can be concluded that among plants evaluated in this study, Z. persica had higher nutritional value for sheep feeding.

Performance and nutrient digestibility of kacang goats fed with fermented sago waste

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of feeding fermented sago waste on production performance and nutrient digesbility of male kacang goats. The study employed a randomized block design, with 4 dietary treatments, i.e, of Field Grass (FG), Fermented Sago Waste (FSW) and Concentrate. The treatments were: T0 = 60% FG + 0% FSW + concentrate, T1 = 45% FG + 15% FSW + concentrate, T2 = 30% FG + 30% FSW + concentrate, and T3 = 15% FG + 45% FSW + concentrate. Each treatment consisted of three groups, so that the number of experimental units were 12 kacang goats which were grouped according to body weight between 18-23 kg. The results showed that dietary inclusion of FSW to substitute FG increased (P<0.05) feed intake, ADG, feed efficiency, dry matter digestibility (DMD) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) of kacang goats. However, the inclusion at T1 and T2 decreased (P<0.05) the R/C ratio in comparison to control group. The T3 treatment produced the highest ADG, DMD and OMD values. In conclusion, FSW is able to replace FG and therefore potential to be used as a forage source for ruminants in West Kalimantan.