Growth, nutritive value and dry matter degradability of three tepbrosia species

Abstract

Two trials were carried out to evaluate the potential of Tephrosia bracteolata (TB), Tephrosia candido (TC) and Tephrosia linearis (TL) for animal feed. In an 18 week growth experiment, Tephrosia species differed (P<0.05) in leur number (LN) and stein height (SH). TB and TL had apparent (P<0.05) earh and persisten growth than TC until wecks 12-18 when they retarded in growth of the commencement of flowering. 7C however, increased geometrically in LN and SH. There were significant (P<0.50) differences among the species in diy matter (DM) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). The DM, CP, NDF, 4DF, EE and ash range from 30-41.8, 24-26.5, 62.5 68.5, 45.8-48.4, 2.3-26 and 5.6-6.2% respectively. Calcium and sodium were highest (P<0.05) in TB and 72 species were not significantly (P<P.05) different in degradation char amount of crude protein (10-14.81%) was released in the 3 Tephrosia species. As a result of rapid growth, high nutritive values and easily degradable nutrients of Tephrosia shrubs, ruminants could benefit immensely from the plants.