DIGESTIBILITY OF ADDITIONAL CRUDE PROTEIN FROM TROPICAL LEGUMES IN MIXED GRASS-LEGUME RATIONS FOR RUMINANTS

The digestibility of crude protein (CP) from tropical legumes in grass-legume mixed diets was studied based on literature data by regressing the digestible CP (digCP) proportion diet. In vivo studies reporting concentration and values ruminants fed with grasses no other feed, were selected for analysis (56 publications, 213 dietary treatments (150 legume forages, 63 grasses)). First, observations classified into categories control grass using first third quartile (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH quality). Second, divided their growth habit: herbs, shrubs, trees. Based slopes coefficients regressions digCP supply legumes, higher than that LOW quality grasses, but lower MEDIUM grasses. Furthermore, additional when combined (0.493) compared those (0.432), while it decreased (0.305). No differences appeared depending habit (range 0.415 to 0.421). These results can help optimize assimilation supplemented legumes.