Comparison of chemical composition, gas production parameters and digestibility of Alhaji camelorum plant and alfalfa hay using nylon bag and gas production techniques

The aim of the present study was to determine the nutritive value of Alhaji camelorum plant using nylon bag and gas production techniques which compared with alfalfa hay. Fodder samples were hand harvested and its chemical and phenolic composition was determined according to standard laboratory methods. The methods of gas production, nylon bags and three-step enzymatic digestion were used to determine the nutritive value of the samples. The amount of organic matter, crude protein and Ca of Alhaji camelorum was lower than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). Wheras, the neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, ash and phosphorus content of Alhaji camelorum were significantly higher than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). The amount of total phenolic compounds, total tannin, condensed and hydrolyzable tannin of Alhaji camelorum was also higher than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the fast degradable, slow degradable and degradablity rates of Alhaji camelorum and alfalfa hay. However, the effective degradability of Alhaji camelorum was lower than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). Gas production rate (c) of Alhaji camelorum and alfalfa was similar, however, its gas production potential (b) was lower than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). Organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, and net energy for lactation were also estimated to be lower in Alhaji camelorum than alfalfa hay (P<0.05). According to the results of the present research, Alhaji camelorum plant with appropriate nutritional caractristics and digestibility parameters along with its lower production cost compare to alfalfa hay, can be replaced with a part of the forage of camel diet.