Nutritional quality of Calobota sericea fodders. A preliminary assessment
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Abstract
This study aimed to provide preliminary information regarding the nutritional quality of Calobota sericea, a
preferred perennial legume forage species from the water-limited rangelands of South Africa. Calobota sericea plant
samples were collected from the Namaqualand rangelands in the wet and dry season and analysed for secondary
compounds, fibre, protein and mineral nutrient content. The results from the fibre analyses were used to determine
the digestibility and energy content of fodders. Preliminary results indicate that C. sericea fodders are of better
nutritional quality in the wet season and that protein content, digestibility and energy content is sufficient for
maintenance of lambs and dry ewes. The energy content, however, was not sufficient for maintenance of pregnant
and lactating ewes. Furthermore, certain mineral nutrients (Na, P and K) were not found in sufficient concentrations
in this species, and it was thus suggested that further investigation is needed into whether fertilisation could
potentially improve the protein, digestibility and mineral nutrient content of C. sericea fodders.
Description
Keywords
Crude protein, Digestibility, Forage energy, Legume forages
Citation
Müller, F. L. et al. (2021). Nutritional quality of Calobota sericea fodders. A preliminary assessment. African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 38(S1), S94–S97. https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2021.1989722