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Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This datasheet is pending revision and updating; its contents are currently derived from FAO's Animal Feed Resources Information System (1991-2002) and from Bo Göhl's Tropical Feeds (1976-1982).

Datasheet

Description
Click on the "Nutritional aspects" tab for recommendations for ruminants, pigs, poultry, rabbits, horses, fish and crustaceans
Common names 

Alligator weed

Species 

Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. [Amaranthaceae ]

Synonyms 

Achyranthes philoxeroides Standley

Feed categories 
Related feed(s) 
Description 

A troublesome water weed that can completely choke streams. Usually free floating with 25-40 cm of the plant above the water and intertwined stems 2-3 m long forming dense mats under the surface.

Nutritional aspects
Ruminants 

Both the aerial part and the underwater stems are readily eaten by cattle, which sometimes learn to wade in the water to graze even the underwater part. The floating plants are easily harvested for fodder by using a cutlass to divide the floating mass into sections, which are then hauled ashore by rope with a grappling hook.

Nutritional tables
Tables of chemical composition and nutritional value 

Avg: average or predicted value; SD: standard deviation; Min: minimum value; Max: maximum value; Nb: number of values (samples) used

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This datasheet is pending revision and updating; its contents are currently derived from FAO's Animal Feed Resources Information System (1991-2002) and from Bo Göhl's Tropical Feeds (1976-1982).

Main analysis Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Dry matter % as fed 88.0 1
Crude protein % DM 7.3 1
Crude fibre % DM 8.5 1
Ether extract % DM 1.6 1
Ash % DM 13.6 1
Gross energy MJ/kg DM 15.9 *
 
Minerals Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Calcium g/kg DM 1.4 1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Alford, 1952

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:36

References
References 
Alford, L. W., 1952. Alligator weed - A good cattle feed. Chemurg. Dig., 2 (9): 10-12
Zaharaby, A. K. M. ; Mia, M. M. ; Reza, A. ; Khan, M. J. ; Ali, M. L., 2001. Agricultural weeds as alternative feed resource for ruminants in Bangladesh. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 71 (4): 398-401 web icon
2 references found
Datasheet citation 

DATASHEET UNDER CONSTRUCTION. DO NOT QUOTE. https://feedipedia.org/node/188 Last updated on June 10, 2010, 16:00

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