Effects of Brosimum alicastrum and Lysiloma latisiliquum mixtures on voluntary intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep fed tropical pastures

Effects of supplementing tree foliage mixtures on voluntary intake, apparent digestibility and N balance was evaluated using Pelibuey sheep fed low quality diets. Five treatments were examined ina5×5 Latin square design, which consisted of a basal diet of grass (Sorghum halepense)hay supplemented with Brosimum alicastrum (B)and Lysiloma latisiliquum (L)at the following rates (g DM/kg diet): B264, L0; B198, L66; B132, L132; B66, L198 and B0, L264. Additionally, an in situ degradability evaluation was completed with two ruminally cannulated cows. Neutral detergent ?bre (NDF), acid detergent insoluble N (ADIN), lignin(sa)and total phenols (TP)were higher (P<0.01)in L. latisiliquum versus B. alicastrum. Daily intake (g/kg LW 0.75 /day)of DM (from 98 to 73)and OM (from 88 to 66)decreased quadratically (P<0.01), whereas CP (from 8.0 to 5.6)and ME (from 7.7 to 5.2, MJ/sheep/day)reduced linearly (P<0.01), as L. latisiliquum increased in the diet. Apparent digestibility of DM (from 0.486 to 0.445), OM (from 0.511 to 0.458)and CP (from 0.417 to 0.198)decreased linearly (P<0.01)and was associated with a low ruminal in situ CP.