Nutritive Evaluation of Some Fodder Tree Species during the Dry Season in Central Sudan

Abstract

The potential nutritive value was studied on leaves of seven fodder trees in Central Sudan during dry season at two distinct periods, the early dry and the late. The chemical composition, mineral concentration, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), in situ OM or nitrogen degradability and estimated metabolizable energy showed a wide variation among fodder tree species and between different periods of the dry season. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 285 to 197 g/kg DM at early dry season, with a significant reduction in late dry season. Ziziphus spina-christi and Balanites aegyptiaca showed the least reduction in CP content. The NDF, ADF and lignin were about 200, 160 and 19 g/kg DM, respectively at the early period, and significantly increased at the late period of the dry season, except for lignin of Z. spina-christi. For mineral concentration, all fodder tree leaves were rich in calcium but poor in phosphorus. In situ OM degradability significantly decreased at the late period of dry season, but values remained as high as over 600 g/kg OM. At both periods, Z. spina-christi showed the highest value, while the lowest was recorded in Acacia seyal. The IVOMD showed a similar trend to those of in situ OM degradability, except for A. seyal. The nitrogen degradability was highest in B. aegyptiaca and lowest in Z. spina-christi at both periods. A significant and positive correlation had existed between CP and IVOMD or in situ OM degradability (r=0.68, p<0.05; r=0.77, p<0.05, respectively). Also, a significant but negative correlation was found between condensed tannins and nitrogen degradability (r=-0.87, p<0.01). Results demonstrated that Z. spina-christi potentially has a good nutritive value as dry season feed or supplement, while A. seyal tends to be less promising. A. nubica and B. aegyptiaca may be a useful source for degradable protein, even though it may have a limited supply of energy to animals. A. tortilis, A. mellifera and A. ehrenbergiana may have potential value for a supplementation of energy or protein, if they were harvested in the early dry season or in wet season as preserved feed. It is highly recommended to supplement with an appropriate amount of phosphorus when these fodder trees were used.

Nutritive evaluations of some browse tree foliages during the dry season: Secondary compounds, feed intake and in vivo digestibility in sheep and goats

“…Shayo and Uden (1999) and Abdulrazak et al (2000) also reported high phenolic and tannin levels in some East African browses. High polyphenolic components were also reported in semi-arid of north Egypt (Salem, 2005) and arid regions of Sudan (Fadel Elseed et al, 2002). There were differences between levels of TP and CT in the tree foliages studied compared to similar tree foliages reported by others (e.g., Rubanza et al (2003) reported TP and CT were between 65-237 and 6-74 g/kg DM, respectively).…”

Dorcas gazelle and livestock use of trees according to size in a hyper-arid landscape

“…We do not have any logical explanation as to why Dorcas gazelles used B. aegyptiaca trees less than Acacia trees. Gazelles used Tamarix trees the least, which is not surprising given that Tamarix are believed to be the poorest forage of the three species (El-Beheiry and El-Kady, 1998;El Seed et al, 2002;Araya et al, 2003). Although T. aphylla and T. nilotica are considered trees, in the Wadi Gemal National Park both species have a shrub-like morphology, and are therefore less likely to be used as territorial landmarks.…”

Valeurs bromatologique et nutritive de jeunes feuilles de <i>Sterculia setigera</i> Del. en milieu soudanien au Sénégal

“…Ce rapport est cependant inferieur à celui obtenu par Kabore-Zoungrana et al (2008) chez B aegyptiaca (18). Lorsque ce rapport est élevé, il interfère avec l'utilisation efficiente du Ca par les animaux même si les feuilles contiennent un niveau approprié en Ca (Fadel Elseed et al, 2002).…”