The purpose of the current study was to evaluate effect of host on chemical composition, in vitro gas production, methane production, metabolisable energy (ME) and organic matter digestibility (OM). The host had a significant effect on the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, methane production, ME and OMD of mistletoe leaves. Crude ash (CA) and crude protein (CP) contents of mistletoe leaves ranged from 5.33 to 8.93 % and 8.53 to 12.16% respectively. The CA and CP contents of leaves of mistletoe grown on Prunus armeniaca were significantly higher than the others. The host had no significant effect on the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents whereas the host had significant effect on acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of leaves of mistletoe. NDF and ADF contents of leaves of mistletoe ranged from 32.50 to 34.80% and 19.43 to 21.56 % respectively. Gas and methane production of mistletoe leaves ranged from 39.53 to 44.50 ml, 6.26 to 7.06 ml. Gas production of mistletoe leaves grown on Prunus domestica was significantly higher than those of mistletoe leaves grown on Prunus armeniaca and Pirus communis. ME and OMD of mistletoe leaves ranged from 8.26 to 9.20 MJ (kg /DM) and 51.16 to 55.30 % respectively. ME and OMD of mistletoe leaves grown on Prunus domestica was significantly higher than those for Prunus armeniaca and Pirus communis. Leaves of mistletoe can be used during the food shortage to meet the forage requirement of ruminant animals. However leaves of mistletoe grown on Prunus domestica and Prunus dulcis should be supplemented with protein sources to prevent the possible protein deficiencies in mistletoe leave consuming ruminants. Further investigations are required to determine the effect mistletoe leaves on feed intake of ruminant animals.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences |
Journal Section | Original Papers |
Authors | |
Publication Date | June 23, 2020 |
Submission Date | May 11, 2020 |
Acceptance Date | June 16, 2020 |
Published in Issue | Year 2020 Volume: 4 Issue: 1 |