EVALUATION OF CONOCARPUS (CONOCARPUS ERECTUS) LEAVES AND BERMUDA GRASS (CYNODON DACTYLON L.) USING CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND IN VITRO GAS PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE

A. I. Khalil, F. Al Koaik, H. Metwally, A. M. El-Waziry, M. A. Al-Mahasneh

Abstract: The present study was conducted to assess of Conocarpus (Conocarpus erectus) Leaves and Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) fresh or silage using chemical analysis and in vitro gas production technique. Rumen liquor was obtained from four slaughtered Naimey sheep fed on barely and alfalfa hay. The mixture of rumen fluid with buffer (1:2 v/v, 30 ml) were placed into each syringe, containing the samples. The gas production was recorded after 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. There were no significant differences between fresh and silage of conocarpus leaves in organic matter, crude protein, crude fat and ash. Crude fiber was higher in silage form than that in fresh form of conocarpus leaves. The potential degradability (a+b) in fresh conocarpus leaves was significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to conocarpus leaves silage. Crude fiber decreased in Bermuda grass silage compared to fresh form. The potential degradability (a+b) in silage form higher (P<0.05) than that in fresh form. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in pH between conocarpus leaves in both forms. The pH of Bermuda grass silage was lower (P<0.05) than that of fresh. The energy, organic matter digestibility and microbial protein from gas production were determined in conocarpus leaves and Bermuda grass in two forms (fresh and silage). The current study conclude that the fresh form of conocarpus leaves and Bermuda grass appears better than that of silage, therefore it can be used in fresh form to preserve ensiling time as alternative feeds for ruminants.

Keywords: alternative feeds; Bermuda grass; Conocarpus leaves; gas production; ruminant; silage

Date published: 2017-10-12