Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4394082 | Journal of Arid Environments | 2008 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
In order to determine the nutritional properties of Solanum elaeagnifolium in goat diets, chemical analysis, in vitro techniques and a feeding trial were conducted. S. elaeagnifolium replaced alfalfa hay in the diet of confined growing goats at 0% (T0), 25% (T25), 50% (T50), 75% (T75), and 100% (T100). Roughage comprised 300 g kgâ1 of total feed offered. Values of nutritional parameters for S. elaeagnifolium were in vitro OMD, 522 g kgâ1; crude protein (CP), 150 g kgâ1; metabolizable energy, 6.52 MJ kgâ1 DM. Maximum average daily gain (ADG; 116±22 g dayâ1) was observed in T0 animals, while goats receiving S. elaeagnifolium gained weight in the range of 40-112 g dayâ1. Most of the variation in weight gain was explained by ascending levels of S. elaeagnifolium in the diet (R2=0.92), which decreased (P<0.05) dry matter intake (DMI) and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR; DMI/ADG). These results indicate that S. elaeagnifolium at the flowering stage is not palatable and nutritious for goats. This forb can replace alfalfa hay only by 25% (DM basis) without adverse effect on DMI or ADG of growing goats.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Earth-Surface Processes
Authors
M. Mellado, J.E. GarcÃa, J.R. Arévalo, W. Pittroff,