Graded levels of Sesbania sesban and Leucaena leucocephala as supplements to teff straw given to Ethiopian Menz sheep

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of supplementation with fodder tree leaves on the utilization of teff straw. This ivas aimed at testing the hypothesis that forage supplements (e.g. sesbania) that disappear faster from the rumen compared with those that disappear slowly (eg. leucaena) may elicit higher intakes of the basal diet. Experiment 1 investigated the effect of level (i.e. 0,200,300 and 400 g/kg dry matter (DM) intake) of leaves of Sesbania sesban or Leucaena leucocephala on the utilization of teff straw fed ad libitum. Seven sheep were given the seven diets in four periods following a partially balanced (7 × 4) cross-over design. In experiment 2, teff straw alone or supplemented with graded levels of sesbania (250, 350 and 450 g/kg DM intake), were fed to 16 sheep in a completely randomized block design. Intake, degradability, nitrogen (N) utilization, particulate and liquid passage rates were estimated.In experiment 1, protein source × protein level interaction was not significant. Supplementation increased intakes of total DM (P < 0-05), organic matter (P < 0·01) and N retention (P < 0·01) but had no effect on the intake of teff straw. Supplementation with sesbania, but not with leucaena, increased (P < 0·05) the apparent digestibility of DM. Both supplements increased (P < 0·05) the fractional rate of passage from the rumen. In experiment 2, graded levels of sesbania increased DM intake (P < 0·05), fractional rate of liquid outflow (P< 0·05) and tended to increase the rate of degradation. It was concluded that the effect of fodder tree leaves on roughage intake is a function of their disappearance rate from the rumen.

The effect of supplementing maize stover with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) haulms on the intake and growth performance of Ethiopian sheep

“…In this study, all forms of supplementation increased the intake of MS, with no substitution effect observed when the low and high inclusion rates of cowpea were compared, an effect similar to that observed by Bonsi et al (1994). Smith et al (1988), Varvikko et al (1992) and Abule et al (1995), all observed no effect on CCR intake when supplemented with legume forages although, in agreement with this study, supplementation increased total DMI, N retention, apparent DM digestibility and N retention.…”

Effect of Supplementing Graded Levels of Forage Legumes on Performance of Crossbred Calves Fed Tef(Eragrostis tef)Straw

“…Nitrogen in the feeds, faeces and urine samples was determined by the micro-Kjeldahl procedure. Acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were analyzed according to Goering and Van Soest (1970). The gross energy of the feeds, dried faeces and urine samples was determined by bombing the samples in an adiabatic bomb calorimeter (Gallenkamp, CBA-301-030H).…”

Performance of Arsi-Bale kids supplemented with graded levels of pigeonpea in dry season in Mid Rift valley of Ethiopia

“…The result of the study conducted by incorporating pigeon pea in mixture with cassava peel based diets showed a generally enhanced intake in West Africa dwarf goat (Ahamefule et al, 2006). According to Bonsi et al (1994), the positive effects of supplementation on feed intake may have been a reflection of the increase in the intake of essential nutrients such as energy, vitamins, minerals and in particular nitrogen (N). Leguminous fodder trees, as supplements, alleviate N deficiency thereby improving the rate of degradation of the basal diet and the fractional rate of liquid matter from the rumen and hence feed intake.…”