Skip to main content

Digestibility of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris)-based diets supplemented with four levels of Gliricidia sepium hay in hair sheep lambs

Tropical Animal Health and Production volume 45, pages 1357–1362 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of supplementing increasing levels of Gliricidia sepium hay (GS) with different levels of inclusion of Buffel grass (BG) hay on digestibility by hair sheep lambs (2.5 to 3.5 months of age). Eight male lambs were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-day experimental periods (n = 4). Animals were fed with BG with different levels of GS: 100 % BG (T1, control), 90 % BG + 10 % GS (T2), 80 % BG + 20 % GS (T3), and 70 % BG + 30 % GS (T4). Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intakes were not affected by treatments. The intake of crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), and gross energy was higher (P < 0.05) in those lambs fed with T4 diet than control. NDF and ADF digestibilities were higher (P < 0.05) in T1 than in the other treatments. CP digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) in T4 compared to T1, T2, and T3. The study showed that inclusion of GS up to 30 % with BG in forage-based diets of sheep does not affect DM and fiber intake nor influence DM and OM digestibilities but it increases CP intake and reduces NDF and ADF digestibilities.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Abdou, N., Nsahlai, I.V., Chimonyo, M., 2011. Effects of groundnut haulms supplementation on millet stover intake, digestibility and growth performance of lambs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 169, 176-184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahn, J.H., Elliott, R., Norton, B.W., 1997. Oven drying improves the nutritional value of Calliandra calothyrsus and Gliricidia sepium as supplements for sheep given low-quality straw. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 75, 503-510.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AOAC, 1990. Official Methods of Analysis, 15th ed. Association Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, VA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archimede, H., Dulorme, M., Tournebize, R., Saminadin, G., Periacarpin, F., Xande, A., 2001. The effects of Gliricidia supplementation on intake and digestion of a Digitaria decumbens hay by Black-belly sheep. Journal of Agricultural Science, 137, 105-112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archimede, H., Gonzalez-Garcia, E., Despois, P., Etienne, T., Alexandre, G., 2010. Substitution of corn and soybean with green banana fruits and Gliricidia sepium forage in sheep fed hay-based diets: effects on intake, digestion and growth. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 94, 118-128.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aregheore, E.M., Perera, D., 2004. Effect of supplementation of a basal diet of maize stover with Erythrina variegata, Gliricidia sepium or Leucaena leucocephala on feed intake and digestibility by goats, Tropical Animal Health and Production, 36:175-189.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ash, A.J., 1990. The effect of supplementation with leaves from the leguminous trees Sesbania grandiflora, Albizia chinensis and Gliricidia sepium on the intake and digestibility of Guinea grass hay by goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 28, 225-232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barros-Rodriguez, M., Solorio-Sanchez, J., Ku-Vera, J., Ayala-Burgos, A., Sandoval-Castro, C., Solis-Perez, G., 2012. Productive performance and urinary excretion of mimosine metabolites by hair sheep grazing in a silvopastoral system with high densities of Leucaena leucocephala. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44, 1873-1878.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becholie, D., Tamir, B., Terrill, T.H., Singh, B.P., Kassa, H., 2005. Suitability of tagasaste (Chamaecytisus palmensis L.) as a source of protein supplement to a tropical grass hay fed to lambs. Small Ruminant Research, 56, 55-64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belanche, A., Doreau, M., Edwards, J.E., Moorby, J.M., Pinloche, E., Newbold, C.J., 2012. Shifts in the rumen microbiota due to the type of carbohydrate and level of protein ingested by dairy cattle are associated with changes in rumen fermentation. Journal of Nutrition, 142, 1684-1692.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deng, K.D., Diao, Q.Y., Jiang, C.G., Tu, Y., Zhang, N.F., Liu, J., Ma, T., Zhao, Y.G., Xu, G.S., 2012. Energy requirements for maintenance and growth of Dorper crossbred ram lambs. Livestock Science, 150, 102-110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foroughbakhch, R., Hernandez-Pinero, J.L., Carrillo-Parra, A., 2012. Nutrient profile, floristic compositions and preference index of shrubs and herbs consumed by goats in semiarid region of northeastern Mexico. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11, 1299-1305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, D.E., Medina, M.G., Cova, L.J., Clavero, T., Torres, A., Perdomo, D., Santos, O., 2009. Integral evaluation of fodder resources for ruminants in Trujillo state, Venezuela. Revista de la Facultad de Agronomia de la Universidad del Zulia, 26, 555-582.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaitho, R.J., Umunna, N.N., Nsahlai, I.V., Tamminga, S., van Bruchem, J., Hanson, J., 1997. Palatability of wilted and dried multipurpose tree species fed to sheep and goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 65, 151-163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kongmanila, D., Bertilsson, J., Ledin, I., Wredle, E., 2012. Effect of feeding different levels of foliage from Erythrina variegata on the performance of growing goats. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44, 1659-1665.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larbi, A., Khatib-Salkin, A., Jammal, B., Hassan, S., 2011. Seed and forage yield, and forage quality determinants of nine legume shrubs in a non-tropical dryland environment. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 163, 214-221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macias-Cruz, U., Quintero-Elisea, J.A., Avendano-Reyes, L., Correa-Calderon, A., Alvarez-Valenzuela, F.D., Soto-Navarro, S.A., Lucero-Magana, F.A., Gonzalez-Reyna, A., 2010. Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) substitution for orange pulp on intake, digestibility, and performance of hair sheep lambs. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42, 223-232.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melo, J.M., Garcia, B.C., Vazquez, H.J., Sosa, N.H., Marrero, D.F., Mas, Y.L., Lanez, N.C., 2008. Nutritional characterization of fresh and pile-stored humid orange peel (Citrus sinensis cv. Valencia). Tecnica Pecuaria en Mexico, 46, 183-193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mero, R.N., Uden, P., 1990. Effect of supplementing mature grass hay with dried Leucaena leaves on organic-matter digestibility and voluntary intake by sheep. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 31, 1-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NRC, 2001. Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy cattle. Seventh Revised edition. National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC.

  • NRC, 2007. Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants: sheep, goats, cervids, and new world camelids. National Academy of Science, Washington DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orden, E.A., Abdulrazak, S.A., Cruz, E.M., Orden, M.E.M., Ichinohe, T., Fujihara, T., 2000. Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium supplementation in sheep fed with ammonia treated rice straw: Effects on intake, digestibility, microbial protein yield and live-weight changes. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 13, 1659-1666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osuga, I.M., Abdulrazak, S.A., Muleke, C.I., Fujihara, T., 2012. Effect of supplementing Rhodes grass hay (Chloris gayana) with Berchemia discolor or Zizyphus mucronata on the performance of growing goats in Kenya. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 96, 634-639.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez, R.G., Ledezma Torres, R.A., 1997. Forage utilization from native shrubs Acacia rigidula and Acacia farnesiana by goats and sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 25, 43-50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, B.V., Parthasarathy, M., Krishna, N., 1993. Effect of supplementation with tree leaves on intake and digestibility of hybrid Napier (Nb-21) grass in Nellore Brown sheep. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 44, 265-274.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, D.E., Brown, W.F., Ruegsegger, G., Bates, D.B., 1994a. Replacement value of tree legumes for concentrates in forage-based diets. I. Replacement value of Gliricidia sepium for growing goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 46, 37-51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, D.E., Brown, W.F., Ruegsegger, G., Bates, D.B., 1994b. Replacement value of tree legumes for concentrates in forage-based diets. II. Replacement value of Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium for lactating goats, Animal Feed Science and Technology, 46, 53-65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez, N.R., Ledin, S., Ledin, I., 2007. Biomass production and nutritive composition of Cratylia argentea under different planting densities and harvest intervals. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 29, 5-22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SAS, 2004. SAS/STAT, users guide software released 9.12. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.

  • Seresinhe, T., Madushika, S.A.C., Seresinhe, Y., Lal, P.K., Orskov, E.R., 2012. Effects of tropical high tannin non legume and low tannin legume browse mixtures on fermentation parameters and methanogenesis using gas production technique. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 25, 1404-1410.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J.W., Larbi, A., Jabbar, M.A., Akinlade, J., 1995. Voluntary intake by sheep and goats of Gliricidia sepium fed in three states and at three levels of supplementation to a basal diet of Panicum maximum. Agroforestry Systems, 32, 287-295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiemann, T.T., Lascano, C.E., Wettstein, H.R., Mayer, A.C., Kreuzer, M., Hess, H.D., 2008. Effect of the tropical tannin-rich shrub legumes Calliandra calothyrsus and Flemingia macrophylla on methane emission and nitrogen and energy balance in growing lambs, Animal, 2, 790-799.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Topps, J. H., 1992. Potential, composition and use of legume shrubs and trees as fodders for livestock in the tropics. Journal of Agricultural Science, 118, 1-8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tylutki, T.P., Fox, D.G., Durbal, V.M., Tedeschi, L.O., Russell, J.B., Van Amburgh, M.E., Overton, T.R., Chase, L.E., Pell, A.N., 2008. Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System: A model for precision feeding of dairy cattle. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 143, 174-202.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Soest, P.J., Robertson, J.B., Lewis, B.A., 1991. Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science, 74, 3583-3597.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México DGAPA-PAPIIT IN215310.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Nutrición Animal y Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico

    Jonathan N. Avilés-Nieto, Francisco Castrejón-Pineda & Sergio Angeles-Campos

  2. Centro de Bachillerato Técnico Agropecuario 194, Miacatlán, Morelos, Mexico

    José L. Valle-Cerdán

  3. Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, C.P. 6904411, Casilla 306, Santiago, Chile

    Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez

Authors
  1. Jonathan N. Avilés-Nieto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José L. Valle-Cerdán
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Francisco Castrejón-Pineda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sergio Angeles-Campos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Avilés-Nieto, J.N., Valle-Cerdán, J.L., Castrejón-Pineda, F. et al. Digestibility of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris)-based diets supplemented with four levels of Gliricidia sepium hay in hair sheep lambs. Trop Anim Health Prod 45, 1357–1362 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0369-4

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0369-4

Keywords

  • Lambs
  • Digestibility
  • Buffel grass
  • Leguminous shrubs
  • Protein
  • Gliricidia hay