EFFECT OF THE INCLUSION OF FOLIAGE OF TROPICAL TREES ON DIGESTIBILITY, FERMENTATION, AND GAS PRODUCTION UNDER IN VITRO CONDITIONS

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different levels of inclusion of tree species in combination with fiber (corn stover) on digestibility, fermentation and total gas production under in vitro conditions. Different levels of inclusion of tree foliage were evaluated: + fiber, F-100%; Brosimum alicastrum (Ba): Ba-10%+F-90% , Ba-20%+F-80% , and Ba-30%+F-70%; Guazuma ulmifolia (Gu) : Gu-10%+F-90% , Gu -20%+F-80%, and Gu-30%+F-70%; Moringa oleifera (Mo): Mo -10%+F-90% , Mo -20%+F-80% , and Mo -30%+F-70; Gliricidia sepium (Gs): Gs-10%+F-90% , Gs-20%+F-80% , and Gs30%+F-70% ; Piscidia piscipula (Pp): Pp-10%+F-90% , Pp-20%+F-80% , and Pp-30%+F-70%; and Viguiera dentata (Vd): Vd -10%+F-90% , Vd -20%+ F -80%, and Vd -30%+ F -70%. The in vitro gas technique was used for 72 h. The experiment was conducted using in a randomized complete block design. Digestibility, total gas production and protozoan population were measured. The treatments Gu 30%+70%F and Gu20%+80%F had higher crude protein content, with 12.8 and 9.79%, respectively. Regarding gas volume, the lowest value was recorded by Gu10%+90%F with 81.43%, followed by Pp 20%+80%F with 110.01%. The lowest protozoal population was found in Ba 30%+70%F and Gu 20%+80%F, recording 3.12% and 3.36% log 10 , respectively. Overall, the most suitable treatments as nutrient supply for ruminants were Gu 30%+70%F, Gu20%+80%F, Ba 30%+70%F, and Gs 30%+70%F.