Effect of season on the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of some browse and shrubs in Ghana

ET Sottie, AAO Agyei Henaku, K Amaning-Kwarteng, JE Fleischer

Abstract


The seasonal variation in the chemical composition of some browse and shrubs in the coastal savanna of Ghana was ascertained. The browse studied were Antiaris africana, Delonix regia, Milletia thonningii, Grewia carpinifolia, Ritchea reflexa, and Securinega virosa. Samples collected in mid-November1992, early February 1993, and mid-June 1993 corresponding to the peak periods of the minor rains, dry season, and major rains, respectively, were used. Samples were analysed for dry matter and crude protein (percent CP), neutral detergent fibre (percent NDF), acid detergent fibre (percent ADF), cellulose, acid detergent lignin (ADL), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVD). Significant differences were observed with season (P0.05) with dry matter where the dry season values were higher than those of the major and minor rains. Dry matter content ranged between 33 and 40 per cent. Crude protein content was lower (P

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Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science.   ISSN: 0855-0042