Abstract

Effect of season and plant species on in sacco dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability of five plant species were investigated. Plant species were Acacia natalitia, Acacia nilotica, Dichrostachys cinerea, Scutia myrtina and Chromolaena odorata. Leaves were harvested during dry, early wet and late wet seasons, subjected to degradation in cows’ rumen using nylon bags technique. Season affected potential DM degradability and effective degradation of DM and CP. Species affected all parameters except slowly degradable fraction of CP. Interaction between season and species affected the parameters except potential and slowly degradable fraction of CP. Chromolaena odorata had highest estimated parameters of degradation among seasons compared to others. Based on potential and effective degradation, plants followed this decreasing order: C. odorata, A. nilotica, A. natalitia, S. myrtina and D. cinerea. These plants have a potential as feed supplements. C. odorata has the highest potential as feed protein source in ruminants. It concluded that season and species affected in sacco degradability of DM and CP of browse species.

Key words: Dry matter, crude protein, Chromolaena odorata, ruminants, nutritive value.