Effect of ensiled water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as replacement for Para grass on feed intake, digestibility and rumen parameters in sheep  

Nguyen Van Thu

Cantho University, Vietnam
nvthu@ctu.edu.vn

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate effects of replacement of Para grass (Brachiaria mutica) by ensiled water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) on feed intake, rumen parameters, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention of growing sheep. Four growing sheep (19.8±0.43kg) were allocated in a 4x4 Latin square design with 4 treatments in which Para grass was replaced by 0, 15, 30 or 45 % by ensiled water hyacinth. Supplementation was with coconut meal, soybean cake and urea to adjust the CP content of the diets to 17% in DM.  Each experimental period was 14 days including 7 days for adaptation and 7 days for sampling.    

DM intakes, rumen pH, N-NH3 and VFA concentration did not different among treatments, nor were there differences in apparent digestibility coefficients, N retention and live weight gain.

It is concluded that ensiled water hyacinth can replace up to 45% of the para grass in sheep diets that are also supplemented with coconut meal and soybean meal.

Keywords: Protein supplements, replacement