Microbial Evaluation of Fodder Tree Leaves as Ruminant Feed

Odenyo, A. A.; Osuji, P. O.; Negassa, D.

doi:1999.12.5.708

Article

Ruminant Nutrition and Forage Utilization

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 1999;12(5): 708-714.
https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.1999.708 Published online August 1, 1999.

Microbial Evaluation of Fodder Tree Leaves as Ruminant Feed

A. A. Odenyo, P. O. Osuji, D. Negassa

Abstract

Fermentation of legume fodder tree leaves by rumen microorganisms was evaluated. The substrates were sun-dried, ground leaves. Gas and volatile fatty acid (VFAs) production were estimated. Using gas production as an index of fermentation at 12 h, the leaves tested ranked as follows; Chamaecytisus palmensis>Gliricidia sepium>Sebania sesban>Tephrosia bracteolate>Leucaena pallida>Vernonia amygdalina>Acacia sieberiana>Sesbania goetzei>Acacia angustissima. Using VFA production, the ranking was a follows; G. sepium>S. sesban>S. goetzei>L. pallida>C. palmensis/V. amygdalina>T. bracteolate>A. sieberiana>A. angustissima. Absolute gas or VFA production rates, were also used to rank the leaves. Extracts (70% acetone) of A. angustissima inhibited the growth of Ruminococcus albus 8, R. flavefaciens FD-1 Prevotella ruminicola D3ID and Streptococcus bovis JBI while the trowth of Selenomonas ruminantium D was depressed when 0.6 ml exracts were added. C. palmensis water extracts enhanced cellulose hydrolysis by R. flavefaciens FD-1. all extracts reduced celluloysis by R. albus 8. R. flavefaciens FD-1 hydrolyzed more (p<0.001) cellulose than R. albus 8.

Keywords: Fodder Trees; Rumen Microorganisms; Gas Production; Volatile Fatty Acids; Acetone Extracts; Cellulose Hydrolysis