Effects of different regrowth ages and cutting heights on biomass production, bromatological composition and in vitro digestibility of Guazuma ulmifolia foliage

Cediel-Devia, Diana; Sandoval-Lozano, Edwin; Serrano, Román David Castañeda

doi:10.1007/s10457-019-00354-y

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

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“…Taking this into account, it is worth noting the preference for G. ulmifolia by the four herbivore species. It could be explained because G. ulmifolia presents a high in vitro digestibility similar to that of Medicago sativa [60], high energy value, low tannin content and lack of saponins (Table 4). Differences between animal preferences appeared in the rest of the species and could be related to the interaction between animal type and the chemical composition of the foliage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding Preferences of Domestic and Wild Ungulates for Forage Trees in the Dry Tropics

et al. 2022

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Silvopastoralism based on livestock feeding on forage trees is becoming a sustainable alternative to traditional grazing on the open pastures of dry tropical Central America. Four autochthonous trees, Acacia pennatula, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Gliricidia sepium and Guazuma ulmifolia, and one exotic (Moringa oleifera) tree are the preferred species for these silvopastoral systems. Little is known, however, about the feeding preferences of cattle, sheep and goats for such fodder trees and whether wild ungulates (white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus) feed on these plants. In this work, we conducted several multiple-choice feeding preference tests (cafeteria test) to compare the best choice to feed cattle, sheep, goats and white-tailed deer in these farming systems. Although all ruminant species included the four autochthonous trees and the exotic M. oleifera in their diets, G. ulmifolia was the preferred forage tree by far. The preference for the rest of the trees varied among our ruminant species. When M. oleifera was added to the cafeteria test, it was well accepted by white-tailed deer but little appreciated by their domestic counterparts. The use of these forage trees for livestock feeding is thus interesting not only for sustainable animal production but also to support wild herbivores in the dry tropics of Central America.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%