Intake and rumen degradation in cattle fed napier grass (<I>Pennisetum purpureum</I>) supplemented with various levels of <I>Desmodium intortum </I>and <I>Ipomoea batatus</I> vines

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the effect of greenleaf desmodium (Desmodium intortum) and sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatus) supplementation of napier grass on dry matter intake, degradation and rumen fermentation in Friesian steers. Four fistulated steers were offered napier grass diets containing 0, 10, 20 or 30% desmodium or sweet potato vine in two 4 x 4 latin squares. Organic matter intake per kg metabolic body weight increased linearly with increasing inclusion level of desmodium (74-90 g/ kg 0.75) and sweet potato vine (78-94 g/kg 0.75). Crude protein intake also increased linearly with the increase in inclusion level of desmodium (7.6-13.0 g/kg 0.75) and sweet potato vine (7.9-12.9 g/kg 0.75). Supplementation improved DM degradation but did not change rumen pH. Rumen fermentable organic matter increased by up to 52% and 43% for desmodium and sweet potato vine respectively at the highest levels of supplementation. Ammonia nitrogen concentrations increased with increasing level of desmodium (130-214 mg/l) and sweet potato vine (139-235 mg/l). Inclusion of desmodium and sweet potato vine led to small increases in concentrations of total and individual volatile fatty acids. It was concluded that the two forage supplements could play an important role in improving animal performance when napier grass is fed as the basal diet.

Profiling of Rumen Fermentation and Microbial Population Changes in Goats Fed with Napier Grass Supplemented with Whole Corn Plant Silage

“…High fiber diet has resulted in greater proportions of acetate, whereas diet with high starch content has resulted in greater proportions of propionate. This study was in agreement with Kariuki et al (2001) who reported that a high proportion of acetate and low proportion of propionate were observed in Napier grass diet. Similarly, Firkins et al (2006) reported that high degradation of fiber in the diets will produce a high proportion of acetic acid and low amount of propionic acid in the rumen.…”

“…On the other hand, as the content of starch and sugar level was increased in the diet, the proportion of acetic acid decreased; resulting in the increased of propionic acid concentration (Leek, 1993). Kariuki et al (2001) and Widiawati and Thalib (2009) have reported that if the level of propionic acid is increased, the energy of the ruminant ration will be more efficiently used. The shift of acetic to propionic acid ratio in favour of propionic acid has reduced the energy losses that occur during cellular metabolism.…”

New genetic opportunities from legume intercrops for controlling Striga spp. parasitic weeds

“…The sale or use of seed or cut Desmodium as a nutritious nitrogen‐rich cattle forage for stall‐fed cattle has allowed an increase in dairy cow numbers, with individual farmers able to afford a dairy cow for the first time. The nutritional content of the forage legume has allowed ‘exotic’ breeds of high‐milk‐yielding cows to be introduced into the area, improving the nutritional status of the population and income generation 14, 15…”

“…The nutritional content of the forage legume has allowed 'exotic' breeds of high-milk-yielding cows to be introduced into the area, improving the nutritional status of the population and income generation. 14,15…”

In vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and microbes of thin tail sheep given sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L) biomass

“…Results of previous studies show that the addition of sweet potato crops in napier grass-based diets may improve rate of degradation by rumen microbes and rumen fermentation which increases feed intake and animal productivity (Kariuki et al 2001). This in vitro study was aimed to analyze effect of giving biomass sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) on rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial rumen of sheep.…”