Effect of Feeding Alhagi with Waste Date Palm Silage on Rumen Parameters and Microbial Protein Synthesis in Sheep

The effects of ensiling Alhagi with waste date Palm on rumen parameters and microbial protein synthesis in Kermani sheep were investigated. 100 kg Alhagi with 20 kg waste date Palm were mixed and ensiled for 45 d. The experimental diets containing 0، 7، 14 and 21% Alhagi with waste date Palm silage. Four male kermani rams were used in change over design with four 21-days period. Ensiling alhagi with waste date Palm increased crude protein and fat percentages (P<0. 05). Apparent digestibility of crude protein was decresed by increasing the level of ensiled alhagi with waste date Palm (P<0. 05). The amounts of nitrogen intake، digested nitrogen and retained nitrogen in sheep fed 21% of ensiled alhagi with waste date Palm were higher (P<0. 05). Eexcretion of allantoin، purine derivatives and microbial protein synthesis were increased linearly in response to increasing level of ensiled alhagi with waste date Palm. Total protozoa population and Entodinium species per ml rumen liquid changed quadratically (P<0. 05). In conclusion، due to nitrogen balance improvement and increased microbial protein in diet containing 21% ensiled alhagi with waste date palm; it can be fed to animals without any negative effect on their performance.