Authors : Sungchhang Kang, Metha Wanapat, Parwadee Pakdee and Anusorn Cherdthong
Abstract: Four Thai-rumen fistulated swamp buffaloes male (Bubalus bubalis), about 3 years old with 360±18 kg liveweight were assigned according to a 2x2 factorial arrangement in a 4x4 Latin square design to receive dietary treatments. The treatments were as follows: T1) level of concentrate at 0.1% BW with Leucaena leucocephala Leaf Meal (LLLM) at 300 g/hd/day; T2) concentrate at 0.2% BW with LLLM at 300 g/hd/day; T3) concentrate at 0.1% BW with heated Leucaena leucocephala Leaf Meal (HLLLM) at 300 g/hd/day and T4) concentrate at 0.2% BW with HLLLM at 300 g/hd/day. The results revealed a significant increase in roughage and total DM intake (p<0.05) by concentrate level at 0.2% BW (T2 and T4) as compared with concentrate level at 0.1% BW (T1 and T3). Digestion coefficient (%) of DM, OM and CP were increased by level of concentrate at 0.2% BW while NDF and ADF were similar among treatments. However, there was no effect of neither energy level nor HLLLM on ruminal pH and temperature (p>0.05). Concentration of ruminal NH3-N was decreased by HLLLM as compared with LLLM (p<0.05) while blood urea-nitrogen was not changed and was in normal range. Total bacterial direct counts were found significantly different (p<0.05) whereas fungi zoospores and protozoal populations were similar among treatments. Nevertheless, viable bacterial counts were found affected by both concentrate level and HLLLM. The treatments with HLLLM were lower than those in LLLM and concentrate level at 0.2% BW were higher than those supplemented at 0.1% (p<0.05). Based on this study, it could be concluded that HLLLM could be used as a protein source in terms of rumen undegradable protein while the combination of HLLLM and concentrate level at 0.2% of BW could enhance the voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and ecology in swamp buffalo fed supplementation on 2+2% urea-lime treated rice straw.
Sungchhang Kang, Metha Wanapat, Parwadee Pakdee and Anusorn Cherdthong, 2011. Supplemental Energy Influenced on Leucaena leucocephala Leaf Meal in Swamp Buffaloes. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 2225-2233.