Effect of Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro) inclusion in Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass)pasture on herbage chemical composition and in vitro digestion and fermentation characteristics

摘要

Cenchrus ciliaris is native to Botswana but the nutritive value of Molopo variety is not adequate formaintenance and production by ruminants. Its crude protein ranges between 30 and 100 g/kg and digestibility from 300 to600 g/kg. Therefore, intercropping it with a legume would improve its nutritional value. Previous research in Botswana(APRU 1979) evaluated biomass production of Cenchrus/Siratro sward and not its nutritive value. Therefore, the objectiveof this study was to determine the nutritive value and fermentative parameters of Cenchrus/Siratro sward.