Nutritive Evaluation of Alfalfa, Panicum Maximum and Its Mixture By Sheep In Reclaimed Sandy Soil In Egypt | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences | ||
| Articles in Press, Corrected Proof, Available Online from 09 November 2025 PDF (623.99 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejvs.2025.375765.3011 | ||
| Author | ||
| Doaa Essam Tawfiek* | ||
| Animal Production and Fisheries Department, Faculty of Agriculture Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of alfalfa, Panicum maximum, and their mixture when fed to sheep in reclaimed sandy soil of Suez Governorate, Egypt. The two forages and its mixture were evaluated in three groups as follows: Alfalfa, 100%, Alfalfa 50% + Panicum maximum50% and Panicum maximum,100%. Digestibility trials were conducted to evaluate the experimental forages using 9 rams averaged 45kg LBW (3 in each). The rumen parameters were measured. Results showed that alfalfa had higher crude protein and mineral content (Ca, P, K, Cu) but lower crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract compared to Panicum maximum. No significant differences were observed in dry matter intake or digestibility coefficients among treatments, except for higher digestible crude protein (DCP) in alfalfa and the mixed group. The ruminal pH of Panicum maximum at 2h was significantly higher than other forages while the differences of pH at 4h among three groups were not significant. Ruminal NH3-N and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) of alfalfa was significantly higher than Panicum maximum at 2h and 4h. Microbial protein of group fed Panicum maximum was significantly lower than other groups. Values of pH were significantly decreased and NH3-N and VFA were significantly increased at 2h and 4h after feeding. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Digestibility; rumen parameters; ruminant nutrition; forages | ||
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