Available Feed Resources and Nutritive Value of Major Browse Species in East Dembia District, Central Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the available feed resources, identify the most commonly used browse species as livestock feed and to determine their nutritive value from East Dembia district. Four kebeles (Sufankara, Grargie, Salj Gebeba and Atkilit Teleft) were selected purposively. Stratified random sampling was used for the selection of respondents. A total of 12 plots of 20m *20m (400m²) were established at an interval of 200m along the transect line to identify and record the available browse species. The leaves and petioles of A. abyssinica, C. africana, F. thonigii, F. sycomorus, V. amygdolina, M. arbutifolia, and A. seyal were collected for chemical analysis. General linear model procedure of SAS was used for statistical analysis. The mean CP content of the browse species ranged from 12.13% (F. sycomorus) to 29.74% (V. amygdolina). The IVDMD varied from 38.5% for M. arbutifolia to 71.67% for F. sycomorus. High gas production from immediately soluble component (a) was recorded for C. africana. The gas production from insoluble but potential degradable fraction (b) and production potential (a+b), organic matter digestibility, where high for F. thounigii but low for V. amygdolina. The browse species in the current study could be used as protein supplements to livestock fed on low quality feeds due to their high levels of crude protein, low fiber contents and high digestibility potentials. However, it is recommended that further studies need be undertaken in determining the nutritive value of the other browse components such as pods.

Keywords: Browse species, nutritive value, crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-13-03

Publication date:July 31^st 2020