In sacco dry matter degradation of kamatchile (Pithecellobium dulce (RoxB. Benth.) and Gmelina (Gmelina arborea (RoxB.)) leaves and their litter-fall

This study was conducted to assess differences in the extent and rate of ruminal degradation of kamatchile and gmelina leaves including samples of their litter-fall (mature fallen leaves). Three ruminally cannulated indigenous sheep were fed with napier-grass, concentrate mixture and mineralized salt block. Samples of each forage were incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of the animals to estimate degradability. The data were computed using the equation D(t)= a + b(1-e raised to negative ct), where D(t) is the percentae disappearance in the bag for time t, of the rapidly (a) and slowly (b) degradable components and c is the constant rate of degradation for the second component expressed in percent/h. Effective degradation (ED, percent) of dry matter (DM) was calculated using the formula: ED= a+bc/(c+k), where k = 0.02/h. Results showed significant difference among the various nutrient fraction across forage samples. Crude protein was highest (P0.05) in kamatchile leaves. The litter-fall of kamatchile was highest (P0.05) in ash and all fiber fractions, except for hemicellulose; the reverse was found on the nutrient content of gmelina leaves. The in sacco DM disappearance of gmelina leaves and its litter-fall was higher (P0.05 than kamatchile leaves and its litter-fall in all incubation time. Degradation characteristics showed highest (P0.05) a fraction in litter-fall of gmelina (33.25 percent) and the least in kamatchile leaves (20.99 percent). The b fraction was highest (P0.05) in gmelina leaves (70.52 percent) followed by its litter-fall (59.45 percent); gave these two samples the highest potential (a+b) DM for degradation in the rumen. The constant rate of degradation or c fraction was faster (P0.05) in gmelina leaves (0.0287/h) and litter-fall of kamatchile (0.0282/h) than the other samples. ED was observed to be highest in gmelina leaves (67.04 percent) followed by its litter-fall (61.02 percent), kamatchile leaves (42.51 percent) and its litter-fall (37.21 percent). This study shows that degradation in the rumen is lower for kamatchile than for gmelina.