Short communicationDegradability of leaves from three Erythrina species in Lao PDR

A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and degradation value of leaves of three Erythrina species in Lao PDR. The degradability of Erythrina indica, Erythrina subumbrans and Erythrina variegata leaves (including petioles) was assessed by in vitro gas production and in sacco degradation in four 3-year-old fistulated male crossbred goats (Thai native×Boer) weighing 30 kg (SD=1.4). Crude protein (CP) content of E. indica leaves was 156 g/kg dry matter (DM) significantly lower compared to E. variegata and E. subumbrans (203 and 211 g/kg DM). The highest in vitro gas production after 96 h incubation (121 ml/g DM) and in vitro organic digestibility after 24 h incubation (67.2%) were found in E. variegata (P>0.05). Leaves from E. variegata and E. subumbrans had a higher in sacco CP effective degradability than E. indica leaves (P<0.05). Thus E. variegata and E. subumbrans appear to be a better option in terms of nutritive values and degradability.