Effect of incorporating multipurpose-trees (Mpts) foliage in a basai ration of poor- quality pennisetum purpureum hay fed to pelibuey sheep

Abstract

Four sheep (38.6±9.2 kg) cannulated in the rumen, were housed in metabolic crates in a. 4x4 Latin square design to study the effect of incorporating 23 per cent of the dry matter (DM) of a basai ration of Pennisetum purpureum hay as sim-dried leaves of the multipurpose trees (MPTs): Brosimum alicastrum, Guazuma ulmifolia and Ehretia tinifolia. Sheep were supplemented with 10g DM/kg0.75/d of crushed maize grain and rations were isonitrogenated with urea mixed with cane molasses (78g/head/d). There were no significant (P>0.05) différences in DM or organic matter (OM) intake among treatments. However, NDF intake was higher (P<0.05) in B. alicastrum fed group as compared to one fed on P. purpureum alone. CP ofB. alicastrum and G. ulmifolia were digested to a larger extent in the rumen than that of P. purpureum and E. tinifolia. No significant (P>0.05) differences were found in the supply of micrubial nitrogen (N) to the sinall intestine of sheep. The feeding of sun-dried leaves of E. tinifolia resulted in a lower concentration of protozoa in the rumen than in the other treatments. In vivo digestibility of DM was low and no significant (P>0.05) improvements were achieved by incorporation of MPTs in the ration. It is concluded that, sun-dried foliage of B. alicastrum and G. ulmifolia had a higher rate and extent of rumen digestion of CP, OM and DM than foliage of E. tinifolia, however, this was not enough to improve DM intake, DM digestibility or the supply of microbial N to the small intestine. The possible reasons for this are discussed. © GSP, India.