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Chemical composition of the water fern,salvinia molesta, and its potential as feed source for ruminants

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Abstract

The chemical composition of the now widespread tropical aquatic fern Salvinia molestawas analysed with regard to its suitability as a source of forage for ruminants. Three different stages of plant growth collected in Kerala, India, were air dried, brought to Germany, and used for Weende analysis, detergent fibre analysis, and the determination of gross energy, amino acids, tannins, and minerals. The concentration of 12.4% crude protein in sand-corrected dry matter (DM) and of some other nutrients in Salviniais comparable to that in conventional forage. However, the high content of crude ash (17.3% in DM) and of lignin (13.7%) and the presence of tannins (0.93%) may reduce acceptance as well as digestibility and therefore restrict the use of Salviniaas a potential feed source for ruminants.

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  1. Institut für Tierernährung der Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Senckenbergstrasse 5, D-6300, Giessen, Germany

    Josef Pallauf

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  1. Mathew Moozhiyil
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  2. Josef Pallauf
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Moozhiyil, M., Pallauf, J. Chemical composition of the water fern,salvinia molesta, and its potential as feed source for ruminants. Econ Bot 40, 375–383 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858995

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858995

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