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Ajayi et al., 2009. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 21 (9)

Document reference 
Ajayi, F. T. ; Akande, S. R. ; Adegbite, A. A. ; Idowu, B., 2009. Assessment of seven under-utilized grain legume foliages as feed resources for ruminants. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 21 (9)
Abstract 

Seven under-utilized grain legumes foliages and soybean foliage were evaluated for their nutrient composition, anti-nutrient contents, organic matter digestibility, short chain fatty acid and metabolizable energy levels in order to ascertain their relevance in livestock nutrition. In-vitro gas productions of the ground samples of the legumes foliage were determined every three hours until 24 hour. Total gas (ml/200mg DM) at 24 hour was estimated for each of the legumes.

The analysis of nutrient contents (g/100g DM) showed  that crude protein ranged from 15.6 to 23.5g/100 g DM; Neutral detergent fibre was between 38.2 and 48.2g/100g DM while ether extract ranged from 1.0 to 2.3g/100g DM. Tannin content was between 1.8 and 6.5 g/100g DM while phytic acid was between 17.6 and 24.6 (mg/g).  Trypsin inhibitor ranged from 17.3 to 27.5 Tiu/mg protein. The legumes were high in metabolizable energy (8.20 – 11.7 MJ/kg DM), organic matter digestibility (56.0 – 78.0%) and short chain fatty acids (0.8 – 1.17 mmol).

The highest volume of gas, Y, was observed in Lablab. The value of gas production from insoluble fraction, b ranged from 14 to 33 ml/g DM. The lowest rate of gas fermentation, c value was observed in Pigeon pea. It is concluded that these legumes foliages could be used as supplement in livestock diets except Pigeon pea which had the least degradation characteristics.

Citation key 
Ajayi et al., 2009