The nutritional value of some common pasture plants harvested in late rainy season at En Nahud, Northern Kordofan, Sudan

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the chemical composition, in vitro organic 
matter digestibility and estimate energy contents of some Sudanese rangeland 
plant in Northern Kordofan. The results indicated that crude protein ranged 
from (19.98%) in Zornia glochidiata to (2.68%) in Aristida funiculata. The 
highest OM was represented by Eragrostis tremula (96.63%) and the lowest in 
Sida cardifolia (78.55%). Ether extract ranged from 0.42 % in Andropagon 
gayanus to (3.82 %) in Gueria senegalensis. The highest ADF, NDF ال and 
ADL, were 63.22 %, 82.50 %, and 16.00 % in Aristia pallida, Eragrostis 
tremula and Chrozophora brancheris respectively, and the lowest were 
35.03%, 43.50% and 4.00 % in Sida cardifolia, Aristida adscesnois and Ipomea 
belopharosepla respectively. The maximum value of NFE was recorded in 
Aristida herbarium (34.73%) while the minimum value was   recorded in 
Cenchrus ciliaris (11.15%). The IVOMD value was highest in Boscia 
senegalensis (47.60 %) and the lowest was in Cenchrus ciliaris (10.80 %). 
There were marked correlation between percentages of IVOMD and CP, ADF, 
and NDF contents. These relationships were significantly (P<0.05), positive 
between percentages of CP and IVOMD, and significantly negative (P<0.05), 
between ADF, and NDF.  
The results also, showed that Chemical composition and in vitro organic matter 
digestibility can be considered as useful indicators for the preliminary 
evaluation of the nutritive value of range plants. Most of these range plants, 
with high protein concentration, and in vitro OMD digestibility. As such, they 
have potential use to maintain livestock, as well as to supplement poor quality 
roughages, in order to increase productivity of ruminant livestock in the region.