Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of fodder potential of some tropical browse plants using fistulated N’dama cattle

Ebiegberi M. Ngodigha^1* and Uche I. Oji²

¹Department of Fisheries and Livestock Production Technology, Niger Delta

University, Wilberforce Island, P.M.B. 071, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

²Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author.E-mail: m_ngodighaa@yahoo.co.uk.

Tel.: +2348033413211.

Accepted 11 February, 2009

   Abstract

The fodder potential of edible foliage samples of six browse plants; Ficus exasperata, Dactyledania barteri, Manniophyton fulvum, Palisota hirsuta, Newbouldia laevis and Microdesmis puberula were determined by evaluating the rumen degradation characteristics [soluble fraction, potential degradation (PD), effective degradation (ED), degradable fraction, rate of degradation] at rumen outflow rates of 3, 4 and 5% h¹ using fistulated N’dama cattle. Voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI), digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) and growth rate (GR) were predicted from the degradation characteristics. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), tannins and ash contents were also determined. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) differences in the degradation characteristics of the browse plants. F. exasperata significantly (p < 0.05) had more feed value than the other browse plants, chemical composition of the browses and their rumen degradation characteristics proved that the evaluated browse plants are excellent feed sources that could be utilized by ruminants for both maintenance and production.

Key words: Browse plants, N’dama cattle, effective degradation, potential degradation.