HomeDAVAO RESEARCH JOURNALvol. 2 no. 1 (1999)

Urea Supplementation Increases Nitrogen Retention in Sheep Fed with Leucaenapallida (Kx2) Foliage

Janoz Xn Yesu S Laquihon | David M McNiel

Discipline: agricultural sciences

 

Abstract:

Leucaena pallida (Kx2) is a good source of protein for sheep if its condensed tannin is only minimal. Alternative source of N could then- be given. This study determined the response of sheep to urea supplementation in terms of N balance, N digestibility and dry matter (DM) digestibility. Fifteen Merino wethers (ave. weight - 32.5 kg) were randomly distributed to 5 treatments. They were fed with Leucaena pallida foliage (750 g DM per day) and approximately 240 g of different urea concentrations in molasses as carrier (0, 6.1, 19.8, 28.0, and 45.9 g of urea/d). N and DM contents of L. pallida, urea in molasses mixture, urine, and feces were determined. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between N intake from urea in molasses, N digestibility, and DM digestibility. N retention and digestibility were improved and significantly related to N intake from urea with r2 values equivalent to 0.816 and



References:

  1. Barry, T.M., and S.J. Duncan 1984. The role of condensed tannins in the nutritional value of Lotus pedunculatus for sheep: Voluntary intake.British Journal of Nutrition, 51: 458-491. -c.
  2. Castillo, A-C. 1993. Agronomic performance, psyllid (Heteropsylla cubana Crawford) resistance and forage quality of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit, Leucaena pallida (Britton and Rose), Leucaena diversifolia (Sclecht) Bentll. and the hybrids. MSc thesis. The University of Queensland, Australia.
  3. Cheeke, P.R. 1991. Applied animal nutrition: Feeds and feeding. MacMillan. New York, USA.
  4. Chen, X.B. and M.J. Gomes. 1995. Estimation of microbial protein supply to sheep and cattle based on urinary excretion of purine derivatives — An overview of technical details. Occasional publication. Rowett Research Institute. Aberdeen.
  5. Dalzell, s.A, J.L. Stewart, A. and D.M. McNie11. 1998. Chemical composition of Leucaena and implications for forage quality. In:
  6. Shelton, H.M., R.C. Gutteridge, B.F. Mullen, and R.A. Bray (Eds.)  Leucaena adaptation, quality and farming systems. ACIAR Proceedings No. 86: 227-246.
  7. Egan, A.R. 1984. Factors influencing N requirements for ruminants and roles of supplemental protein. In: Doyle, P.T. (Ed.) The utilization of fibrous agricultural residues as animal feeds. IDP of Australian universities and colleges. Proceedings. Canberra. pp. 25-33.
  8. Hogan, J. 1996. Energy and protein interactions. In: Bakrie, B., J. Hogan, J.B. Liang, A.M.M. Tareque and R.C. Upadhay. Ruminant nutrition and production in tropics and subtropics. ACIAR. Canberra. pp 59 —74; 141-151.
  9. Hossain, K.B., N.R. Sarker, M. Saadulah, M. Beg, and T.M. Khan. 1995. Effect of feeding straw supplementing the urea molasses block lick on the performance of sheep. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Sciences. 8 (3): 289-293.
  10. Hughes, C.E. and S.A. Harris. 1994. Systematics of Leucaena: Recent findings and implications for breeding and conservation. In: Shelton, H.MPiggin, C.M. and Brewbaker, J.L. (Eds.) Leucaena Opportunities and Limitations. ACIAR Proceedings No. 57: 54—65.
  11. Karda, I.W., G. McDryen, and R.C. Gutteridge. 1998. The effect of supplementation with Leucaena leucocephala and urea or sucrose on the voluntary feed intake and digestibility of Rhodes grass hay by sheep. In: Shelton, H.M., Gutteridge, R.C., Mullen, B.F. and Bray, R.A. (Eds.) Leucaena-Adaptation, quality and farming systems. ACIAR Proceedings No. 86: 280-281.
  12. Kumar R. and J.P.F. D’Mello. 1995. Anti-nutritional factors in forage legumes.  In: D’Mello, J.P.F. and C. Devendra (Eds.) Tropical legumes in animal nutrition. CAB International, UK. pp. 95-134.
  13. McNie11, D.M., N. Osborne, M.K. Komolong, and D. Nankervis. 1998. Condensed tannins in genus Leucaena and their nutritional significance for ruminants. In: Shelton, H.M., R.C. Gutteridge, B.F. Mullen, and R.A. Bray, (Eds.) Leucaena adaptation, quality and farming systems. ACIAR Proceedings No. 86: 205-214.
  14. Pritchard, D.A., R.R. Martin, and O’Rourke. 1992. The role of condensed tannin in nutritional value of mulga (Acacia aneura) for sheep. Australian Journal of Agricultural Science 43: 1739-1746.
  15. Shelton, H.M. and R.J. Jones. 1994. Opportunities and limitations in Leucaena. In: Shelton, H.M., C.M. Piggin, and J.L. Brewbaker (Eds.) Leucaena Opportunities and Limitations. ACIAR Proceedings No. 57: 16-23.
  16. Skerman, P.J., D.J. Cameron, and F. Riveros. 1988. Tropical forage legumes. 1988. In: FAO Plant Production and Protection. UN Series No. 2. Second edition. pp. 566-576.
  17. Sorensson, C.T. 1994. Potential for improvement of Leucaena through interspecific hybridization. In: Shelton, H.M., C.M. Piggin, and J.L.  Brewbaker (Eds.) Leucaena -Opportunities and Limitations. ACIAR Proceedings No. 57: 47-53.
  18. Tareque, A.M.M. 1996. Use of non-protein nitrogen and protein in farming systems in Bangladesh. In: Bakrie. B., J. Hogan, J.B. Liang, A.M.M.  Tareque and R.C. Upadhay. Ruminant nutrition and production in tropics and subtropics. ACIAR. Canberra. pp. 87 —100. 
  19. Tessema, S., and E.E. Emojong. 1984. Utilization of maize and sorghum stover by sheep and goats after feed-quality improvement by various treatments and supplements. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal. 44:  408-415.
  20.  Wongskriskeo, W. and M. Wanapat. 1984. The effects of urea treatment of rice straw on feed intake and live weight gain of buffaloes. In: Doyle P.T.  (Ed.) The utilization of fibrous agricultural residues as animal feeds. IDP of Australian Universities and Colleges Limited. Proceedings. Canberra.  pp. 81-84.