The effect of Browse Plus^TM on nutrient intake, rumen pH and digestibility of a sole diet of <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> forage

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the neutralising effect of Browse Plus^TM on condensed tannins in a sole diet of Leucaena forage and how that affected feed intake, rumen environment and passage of nutrients. Partial digestion methods were used. Results showed that the use of Browse Plus^TM had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on some parameters. It increased the daily feed intake by 32%, and it raised the production of rumen ammonia and volatile fatty acids by 65.6% and 19.4%, respectively. However, Browse Plus^TM did not affect the rumen environment and the proportions of volatile fatty acids significantly (P < 0.05). We concluded that Browse Plus^TM had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on rumen protein degradation, while the combined effect of Browse Plus^TM and Synergistes jonesii bacteria prevented both mimosine and condensed tannin toxicity, which resulted in more efficient rumen fermentation and absorption of nutrients in the small intestines.

Keywords: multi-purpose fodder trees, partial digestion, protein supplementation, tannins

African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2006, 23(3): 171–175