Potential nutritive value of Anagyris foetida shrub for goats

Abstract

This study evaluated the nutritive value of the leaves harvested from Anagyris foetida in terms of chemical and mineral compositions and in vitro gas production. The effects of two sampling periods (March and June) and four treatments: P (control), PP (plant + polyethylene glycol), PC (plant + concentrate) and PPC (plant + polyethylene glycol + concentrate), were studied in 2 x 4 factorial design. The gas production was determined at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubations. The crude protein (CP) content of Anagyris foetida leaves significantly decreased in June (171.48-120.74 g/kg DM). The NDF concentration in March was 332.15 g/kg DM, while it was 371.79 g/kg DM in June. The highest ash content was determined in June. The condensed tannin (CT) concentration of Anagyris foetida leaves ranged between 16.06 to 18.78 g/kg DM. The P concentration significantly decreased (3.65-1.79 g/kg DM) in June, while the Mg concentration significantly increased (4.86-10.03 g/kg DM). The in vitro gas production did not change during the sampling periods. The in vitro gas production, however, was significantly affected by the treatments. The lowest gas production was obtained from P (control) during 96 h of incubation. In conclusion, Anagyris foetida had a poor feeding quality in June; therefore, this study suggests that Anagyris foetida shrub should be browsed or harvested in March. Concentrate feed, PEG or their mixture can be used to enhance rumen fermentation conditions during browsing of Anagyris foetida.