Chemical Composition and in vitro Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics of Tetraploid Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

The aim of this study was to investigate nutritive value of tetraploid black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Chemical composition and in vitro fermentation characteristics by using in vitro gas production technique were stated for tetraploid black locust, birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), alfalfa (Medicago saliva cv.) and galega (Galega orientalis Lam.). Tetraploid black locust showed high crude protein (16.02%), ether extract (2.85%), crude ash (13.16%) and Ca (3.85%) content and low neutral detergent fibre (21.63%), acid detergent fibre (19.91%) and acid detergent lignin (6.52%) content. However, fermentation characteristics, such as cumulative gas production of 48 h, dry matter degradability, neutral detergent fibre digestibility, total volatile fatty acid of tetraploid black locust, were lower than that of birds foot trefoil and alfalfa (p<0.05). Tetraploid black locust fermentation resulted in reducing the molar proportions of acetate and butyrate and increasing that of propionate (p<0.05). In conclusion, according to the chemical composition, tetraploid black locust was a high-quality feed resources. However, utilization of tetraploid black locust by ruminal microorganisms in vitro was limited. Further in vivo studies could be required to expand the knowledge of the nutritive value of tetraploid black locust.