Kinetics of in situ ruminal degradation of four tropical forage trees:: Leucaena leucocephala, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Sapindus saponaria and Gliricidia sepium

The in situ ruminal degradation of the dry matter (DM) and fiber fraction (NDF) of four tropical forage trees was analyzed. The leaves and petioles of the trees were harvested. The chemical composition of the forages was studied, The in situ nylon bag incubation technique was used to study the degradation of feedstuffs in two Holstein bulls with rumen cannula fed star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis), ne DM and NDF were determined on the digestion residues, and the indicators characterizing the magnitude and extent of degradation were estimated. Gliricidia showed the highest nutrient values and was less degraded in the rumen, followed by leucaena: 63.37 % and sapindus: 56.48 %, while the Enterlobium cyclocarpum was poorly degraded: 33.48 %. Fiber degradation was similar to that of the DM (77.43, 58.81, 43.49 and 31.04%, respectively). The DM degradation rate was higher in gliricidia (0.070/hr) and no differences were found between the other plants (0.030. 0.026 and 0.03/hr). The results showed the high levels of protein and low fiber levels of these forage trees compared to grasses, allowing their use as a supplement to balance low quality pasture and forage diets.