Determining Dry Matter Degradability of Some Semi-Arid Browse Species of North- Eastern Nigeria Using the In Vitro Technique

160 ABSTRACT: The in vitro gas production of some semi-arid browse species were evaluated. The relationship between in vitro gas measured on incubation of tannin-containing browses in buffered rumen fluid and calculated from short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was investigated. Crude protein (CP) contents in the browses ranged from 13.85 to 16.65% dry matter (DM). The NDF, ADF and ADL were 37.30 to 51.20, 16.20 to 41.90 and 4.90 to 12.70 g/100g DM respectively. Total condensed tannin (TCT) ranged from 0.15 to 0.39 mg/g DM. The TCT was significantly correlated with gas production (r = 0.99; P < 0.05). A good relationship (R = 0.99; P< 0.05) was observed between the measured in vitro gas production and that calculated from SCFA. The relationship between in vitro gas measured on incubation of browse leaves and that calculated from SCFA allows the prediction of SCFA from gas production. The study showed that the leaves of the browse forages had reasonable nutritive value and thus, may serve as potential supplement for ruminants in Nigeria.