Feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and ruminal fermentation activities in sheep fed Atriplex halimus ensiled with three developed enzyme cocktails

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The effects of feeding Atriplex halimus treated with three developed enzyme cocktails to Barki sheep on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, N utilization, and ruminal fermentation were assessed. A. halimus was ensiled with two developed enzyme cocktails of ZAD1 ® (Z1) and/or ZAD2 ® (Z2) as liquid enzyme preparations (2 l/t) with 5% molasses and ensiled for 30 days. Three Barki rams (45 ± 3.2 kg) were used per treatment in five consecutive digestibility trials, while three ewes fitted with a permanent rumen fistula were used as source of inoculum for in vitro rumen fermentation trials. Barley grain (300 g/animal/day) was fed as energy supplement during the experimental trial for all diets. Five diets were composed as follows: A. halimus (leaves and stems) (D1); untreated A. halimus plus 4 g/animal/day ZADO ® (Z) (enzyme preparation in powder form) (D2); A. halimus ensiled with Z1 and barley plus 4 g/animal/day Z (D3); A. halimus ensiled with Z2 and barley (D3) plus 4 g/animal/day Z (D4); A. halimus ensiled with a combination of Z1 and Z2 (1 : 1) and barley plus 4 g/head/day Z (D5). For all trials, ad libitum A. halimus was offered twice a day at 9:00 and 16:00 h while barley grain was given once a day at 10:00 h. Both D1 and D2 diets increased (P <0.001) dry matter intake of A. halimus and total dry matter intake. Addition of 4 g/day of Z to Z1 and/or Z2 ensiled diets improved (P < 0.0001) organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities. Diets D1 and D2 increased (P < 0.001) N intake, whereas the direct addition of Z to D3, D4, and D5 decreased (P < 0.001) N balance and N balance/N absorption ratio. Sheep fed on Z in addition to Z2 ensiled A. halimus showed higher improvements for total volatile fatty acids (P < 0.001), ammonia N (P = 0.007), and microbial protein production (P = 0.003). It can be concluded that feeding sheep on A. halimus ensiled with Z1 and Z2 with direct feeding of Z enzyme preparation improved intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and utilization, as well as rumen fermentation.

A nutritional and economic evaluation of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaf meal as a dietary supplement in West African Dwarf goats

“…This indicates that each kilogram of weight gain at higher levels of Moringa inclusion is produced at a lower cost and thus yields higher revenue and profit. Plant leaf meal and tree foliage have been reported to be cost-effective protein sources that can be used in ruminant feeding Kholif et al, 2015;Salem et al, 2015). In the tropics, they can be obtained at relatively no cost by the roadside, and at compounds and backyards of smallholder farmers.…”

Influence of individual or mixed cellulase and xylanase mixture on in vitro rumen gas production kinetics of total mixed rations with different maize silage and concentrate ratios

“…A total of 180 bottles (three bottles for each ration in addition to three bottles for each enzyme in three different runs with three bottles as blanks (rumen fluid only)) were incubated for 72 h. The technique of Theodorou et al (16) was used for measuring the pressure of gas produced at 2, 4,6,8,10,12,24,36,48, and 72 h of incubation employing a pressure transducer to measure gas from incubations in 120-mL gas-tight culture bottles. Gas accumulated in the headspace of the bottle as the fermentation proceeded was measured with a digital manometer (Extech Instruments, Waltham, MA, USA).…”

Influence of Trichoderma reesei or Saccharomyces cerevisiae on performance, ruminal fermentation, carcass characteristics and blood biochemistry of lambs fed Atriplex nummularia and Acacia saligna mixture

“…There is an increased awareness of the value of halophytic or saltbush forage shrubs as animal feeds in arid and semi-arid regions Salem et al, 2015). Halophytes are widely distributed, and at high density, in many areas under conditions of water shortage and high soil salinity.…”

“…Halophytes are widely distributed, and at high density, in many areas under conditions of water shortage and high soil salinity. Feeding halophytes to ruminants is a possible solution to feed shortages in these areas (Ahmed et al, 2015;Alsersy et al, 2015;Salem et al, 2015).…”

“…and shrubs including wattles (Acacia spp.) have received increased interest as livestock feed, especially in arid zones of North Africa and the northern region of Egypt Salem et al, 2015). However, these species accumulate high concentrations of salt, oxalates and secondary plant compounds (Papanastasis et al, 2008) in their leaves making them less palatable and of lower nutritive value (Ben Salem et al, 2010).…”