Promising tropical grasses and legumes as feed resources in Central Tanzania II. In sacco rumen degradation characteristics of four grasses and legumes

The organic matter (OM) degradation in the rumen of leaves and stems from 4 promising grasses and 4 legumes, was studied using the in sacco technique. The data on OM degradability (g/100 g) was fitted to the exponential equation D = a + b(1 − e−ct). It was shown that in grasses and legumes, leaves had higher (P < 0.001) extent of OM degradation at the 48-h incubation time than corresponding stems, while the degradation rates (c) for leaves and stems were about the same in grasses. Legumes had higher degradation rates for leaves than for stems. The potential OM degradability (a + b) of legume and grass species was also significantly higher (P < 0.001) in leaves than in stems. It can be concluded from the rumen degradation characteristics of the species that they have potential as nutritious feeds for ruminants in central Tanzania. The higher potential degradability of leaves than stems would imply a greater potential in the nutritive value of the leaves.