NUTRIENT CONTENT, IN VITRO GAS PRODUCTION AND POST INCUBATION PARAMETERS OF INDIGENOUS BROWSE FODDERS IN DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Ethiopia indigenous browse species have the potential to serve as a sustainable supplement for poor quality feeds and enhance ruminant livestock production. <strong>Objective:</strong> To analyze the nutrient content, in vitro gas production, and post incubation parameters of indigenous browse species in northwestern Ethiopia. <strong>Methodology: </strong>Eight indigenous browse fodder trees were collected from each agroecological zone for this experiment. Leaf and pod samples of the fodder trees were collected, dried and ground for laboratory analysis. Analysis of variance was carried out for nutrient content, in vitro gas, and methane production of the samples within agroecological zones using standard analytical procedures. The statistical design used to analyze the data was Completely Randomized Design (CRD). <strong> Results:</strong> The highest CP content was recorded from <em>Vernonia</em><em> amygdalina </em>(223.4 g/kg DM)<em>,</em> <em>Dodonaea viscosa </em>(207.7 g/kg DM), and <em>Acacia abyssinica </em>(216.0 g/kg DM) in the highland, midland and lowland agro-ecology respectively. In lowland area, NDF, ADF and ADL contents were highest for <em>Albezia amara</em> leaves and lowest for <em>Acacia brevispica</em> respectively. <em>V. amygdalina</em>, <em>Stereospermum kunthianum</em> and <em>Ficus vasta</em> had the highest gas volume at 24-hour incubation time in high, mid and lowland, respectively. The estimated organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy and short chain fatty acid at 24 hour of incubation was the highest for <em>V. amygdalina</em>, <em>S kunthianum</em> and <em>F. vasta</em> in high, mid and lowland, respectively. <em>Ficus sycomorus</em> and <em>Myrica salicifolia</em> had the lowest methane production among the species in the low, mid and highland study areas, respectively. <strong>Implications: </strong>The present study provides a valuable resource for selecting suitable feed options for livestock in different agroecological zones. High CP and digestible browse species like <em>V. amygdalina,</em> <em>S. kunthianum</em>, and <em>F. vasta</em> could be prioritized for livestock feed. Low methane-producing species like <em>F. sycomorus</em> and <em>M. salicifolia</em> could be incorporated into diets to reduce enteric methane emissions. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Based on their nutrient composition and in vitro gas production potential, these feed resources are of better quality to supplement grazing livestock during the seasons of critical feed shortage as the main feed resources are either limited in availability or lower in nutrient composition and digestibility in the study areas.</p>