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Nutritional characteristics of browse species from Northeastern Mexico consumed by small ruminants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

Roque G. Ramírez-Lozano
Roque G. Ramírez-Lozano*
Affiliation:
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. Apartado Postal 142, sucursal F, San Nicolás de los Garza, N.L. 66450. México
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Summary

Many browse plants that grow in northeastern Mexico are consumed by domestic and wild range small ruminants. However, their nutritional value is determined by their chemical composition and digestibility. Chemical composition depends on the nature of the plant, but climatic conditions determine leaf maturity. Thus, studies to estimate the seasonality of the nutrient profiles of forages from shrubs are necessary. This paper has the objective to discuss the nutrient profiles and the organic matter digestion from the forage of 32 browse plants (13 legumes and 19 non legumes), that grow in northeastern México, and which are consumed by range small ruminants. Browses such as Acacia berlandieri (L.) Wild Acacia rigidula Benth., Ziziphus obtusifolia T and G., Desmanthus virgathus L. and Cercidium macrum I.M. Johnst. are the most abundant in the range, and also are the most selected by ruminants. The seasonal crude protein (CP) content in browse species varied within a range of 4.0 to 22.0%. The cell wall (from 24 to 53%) and its components: cellulose (from 5 to 31%) and hemicellulose (from 2 to 28%) also varied, and in most evaluated shrubs were lower than Medicago sativa hay. Seasonal lignin content also varied among plants species (from 1 to 24%; annual mean), and was higher than Medicago sativa hay. Condensed tannins were low and seasonally variable in most plants (from 0 to 23%). In general, during winter OMD (ranging from 30 to 68%) was higher than in other seasons. Lignin and condensed tannins negatively affected OMD (r = -0.40; P<0.01 and r = -0.53; P<0.001, respectively). The most selected shrubs were those with the highest tannin content. All plants were low in P and Na relative to the needs of adult goats, sheep and white-tailed deer. It is concluded that the chemical composition and OMD of browse plants were very similar among seasons. Because of their high CP, low cell wall, high mineral content and OMD in all plants, these could be considered as good protein supplements for range small grazing ruminants. However, they must be supplemented with P and Na throughout the year.

Resumen

Resumen

Muchas plantas arbustivas que crecen en el noreste de México son consumidas por pequeños rumiantes domésticos y silvestres manejados bajo sistemas extensivos. Su valor nutricional es determinado por su composición química y digestibilidad. La composición química depende de la naturaleza de la planta, aun cuando las condiciones climáticas determinan el grado de madurez del follaje. Por lo tanto, son necesarios estudios para estimar la estacionalidad del perfil nutricional del forraje proveniente de las especies arbustivas. Este escrito tiene como objetivo discutir el perfil químico y la digestibilidad de la material orgánica (DMO), proveniente del forraje de 32 plantas arbustivas (13 leguminosas y 19 no leguminosas) que crecen en el noreste de México y que son consumidas por los pequeños rumiantes en pastoreo. Plantas como: Acacia berlandieri (L.) Wild., Acacia rigidula Benth., Ziziphus obtusifolia T and G., Desmanthus virgathus L. y Cercidium macrum I.M. Johnst. son las más abundantes en el agostadero; además, son las más consumidas por los animales. El contenido estacional de proteína cruda (PC) en las arbustivas fue variable dentro de un intervalo de 4.0 a 22.0%. La pared celular y sus componentes (24 a 53%): celulosa (5 a 31%) y hemicelulosa (2 a 28%), también variaron en la mayoría de las especies evaluadas y fueron más bajas que el heno de Medicago sativa. El contenido estacional de lignina fue variable (de 1 a 24%) entre las arbustivas y fue mayor que M. sativa. Los taninos condensados fueron bajos y variables en la mayoría de las plantas (de 0 a 23%). En general, durante el invierno la DMO (68%) fue más alta que en otras estaciones. La lignina y taninos condensados afectaron negativamente la DMO (r = -0.40; P<0.01 y r = -0.53; P<0.001, respectivamente). Asimismo, los arbustos más preferidos por lo animales resultaron con el más alto contenido de taninos. Todas las plantas resultaron con bajo contenido de P y Na para satisfacer los requerimientos de cabras, borregos y venados cola blanca adultos. Se concluye que la composición química y la DMO de las especies de plantas fueron muy similares entre estaciones; además, debido al alto contenido de PC, minerales esenciales, DMO y bajo contenido de pared celular en todas las plantas, pueden ser consideradas como buenos suplementos proteicos para pequeños rumiantes manejados bajo sistemas extensivos. Sin embargo deben ser complementados con P y Na durante todo el año.

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Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 34: Herbivores: Assessment of intake, digestibility and the roles of secondary compounds , 2006 , pp. 251 - 260
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2006

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