In Vitro Rumen Degradability of Tropical Legumes and Their Secondary Metabolites Depends on Inoculum Source

In this study, the in vitro apparent rumen degradability of organic matter (ARDOM) and plant secondary metabolites (ARDPSM) of three tropical legumes (Mucuna pruriens, Canavalia ensiformis and Leucaena leucocephala) were assessed. For this, single end-point incubations (24 h) as well as kinetic assessments (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h) were set up with different inocula sources, i.e. ruminal inocula from Belgian and Cuban sheep. L-mimosine, L-canavanine, Concanavaline A (Con A) and trypsin inhibitor (TI) were the plant secondary metabolites (PSM) targeted in this study. Bean and forage/bean meals of M. pruriens and C. ensiformis as well as their PSM were extensively degraded during 24 h incubation (0.70 and 0.78 g ARDOM/g of organic matter (OM), respectively and > 0.80 g/g for L-canavanine, > 0.76 TIU/TIU for TI and > 0.95 g/g for Con A, for both legumes). Forage meal of L. leucocephala was considerably less degraded, with apparent ruminal degradabilities of 0.20 and 0.35 g ARDOM/g OM after 24 h incubation with Belgian or Cuban sheep inoculum, respectively. This could - at least partially - be related to L-mimosine, present in L. leucocephala, which was hardly degraded in the Belgian incubation, while a more extensive ruminal breakdown was observed under the Cuban conditions (0.05 to 0.78 g ARDPSM/g PSM, respectively). The negative effect of L-mimosine on OM degradability was supported by in vitro incubations with straw and inoculum from Belgian sheep, as ruminal degradation of straw was 31% lower when L-mimosine was supplemented.

USE OF RHIZOBIUMBACTERIA TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTION OF FIVE TROPICAL LEGUMES WITH FORAGE POTENTIAL

The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect of the application of Rhizobium bacteria in the biomass production of forage legumes. Rhizobiumstrains were isolated and selected from the rhizosphere of five forage species. Characterization and subsequent cultivation were carried out to inoculate plants in a greenhouse. Subsequently, the biofertilizer was prepared to apply it to five forage legumes: C. ternatea, L. leucocephala, C. macrocarpum, M. pruriens and C. cajan. Plants were germinated in petri dishes and on substrate, after 10 days of germination, they were transplanted into Leonards Jugs and watered with distilled water. The plants were placed in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The evaluations were carried out every week measuring plant heightand at the end of the experiment root weigh, dry matter of aerial part and radicular volume. The best values obtained were in M. pruriens which showed from 49 to 50 cm of plant height. For cross inoculation in weight variable was observed that the strains from C. ternatea and L. leucocephala showed the best results with 0.22 and 0.25 g/plant respectively. Although the best data of dry matter of aerial part was observed in L. leucocephalawith 0.40 g, better response of Radicular volume and plant height was observed in strains that came from C. ternatea with 2 mL and 7 cm respectively. In this study it can be conclude that the use of biofertilizers can be an alternative for low-cost forage production, as long as it contains Rhizobium strains capable of associating with legumes and fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

Rumen degradation properties of tropical legumes feed under in sacco studies

Degradation properties of protein feed sources such as tropical legumes is very important to match with microbial protein synthesis and by pass protein requirements in dairy cattle ration formulation. However, the information is still limited. This study aims to determine the degradability of dry matter (DMD) and organic matter (OMD) from several legumes in Indonesia using in sacco method. There are 11 types of tropical legumes that are commonly used in dairy cattle ration have been studied, namely acacia, alfalfa, pterocarpus, gliricidia, indigofera, calliandra, butterfly leaf, leucaena, albizia, tamarind, and sesbania. The dried forage mesh samples were put into nylon bags and incubated in the rumen of two fistulated Friesian Holstein bulls for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Parameter observed were degradability of dry matter (DMD), and organic matter (OMD), kinetic parameters, and effective degradation. The data were analysed using descriptive statistic and regression from SAS University software. The result that sesbania and indigofera grouped into highly degradable forage (degradability > 80%), while acacia, albizia, calliandra grouped into low degradable forage (degradability < 50%). From this study it can be concluded that each type of legume has different degradability characteristics using in sacco method.

The Potential of Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis L.) Developed in Suboptimal Soil to Succeeding Food Sufficiency

The more population grows, the more the food demand required. In this case, soybean, due to the less production compared to rice. In order to support food self-sufficiency and soybean demands, tropical legumes are cultivated due to its nutritional content which is similar to soybean. The local Indonesian plant, jack bean has adaptive properties to sub-optimal land. It can adapt to various cultivation systems, high productivity, and similarity of nutritional content to soybean. It has quite unique adaptations which can grow its upright stems or grows vines, depends to the environment, and relatively shorter age than another type local bean plants. Jack bean seeds can be further processed into tempeh, powder, bakpia (Indonesian traditional sweet cake which using nuts for the filling), and various cakes as a substitute for soybean, mung bean, and wheat. Therefore, the jack bean plant has a great potential as food self-sufficient Indonesia’s program.

The Proximate Compositions And Rumen Degradabilities Of Some Tropical And Temperate Legumes

The proximate compositions and degradabilities in the rumen of tropical legumes (peas and beans) and temperate peas were studied with the aim of comparatively evaluating their nutritive potential for ruminants. The mean crude fibre content of temperat peas (11.3%) was higher than for tropical peas and beans. The mean gross energy contents of tropical peas (18.2 MJ/kg) and beans (18.6 MJ.kg) were higher than for temperate peas (17.0 MJ/kg) despite a higher mean ash value for the tropical types. Other proximate components were very similar for both tropical and temperate legumes although lima bean had a higher crude protein content. Generally the individual compositions of both the temperate peas and were within the range of published values for tropical legumes. The degradabilities of the dry matter and crude protein in the rumen of hay-fed cows were comparable for both tropical and temperate type legumes.

Tropical Legumes Preserved in Silage and Hay Form and Its Nutritional Values in Laboratory Conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional value of legumes leucaena and desmodium preserved in hay and silage form. We used a completely randomized design in a 2x2 factorial arrangement with two bulky conservation methods (hay and silage) and two legumes (leucaena and desmodium). For the bulky characterization was determined chemical composition and total digestible nutrients (TDN). For assessing the nutritional value, analysis of in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and cell wall digestibility (IVCWD), and in situ effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM) and crude protein (EDCP) were performed. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% probability. Due to the characteristics of each specie leucaena presented a higher crude protein (CP) and TDN content compared to desmodium and lower fibrous fractions. The IVDMD presented interaction between the conservation form and forage (P<0.05), where leucaena hay was higher than the others treatments. The IVCWD also presented interaction (P<0.05), and the best values were obtained for leucaena silage. EDDM was superior in leucaena compared to desmodium (P<0.05). Regarding the method of preservation, the EDDM was higher in hay compared to silage. For the EDCP there was an interaction between conservation method and forage, where leucaena silage and hay were similar (P<0.05), but higher than other treatments. Thus, leucaena has a nutritional value higher than desmodium and the conservation of legumes in the hay form presented a higher nutritional value to the conserved as silage.