Assessing genotypes of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an alternative to maize silage for sheep nutrition.

Nutritive value of five Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) genotypes (IG96-50, IG96-96, IG96-358, IG96-401 and IG96-403) weredetermined. Their sugar contents (>70 mg/g of dry matter) and ensiling potential were evaluated using in vitro batch culture and in vivo studies. Research indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in the dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and lignin contents of the C. ciliaris genotypes tested. Genotypes also differed (P < 0.05) in total carbohydrates, structural carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates and protein fractions. Genotype IG96-96 had the lowest total digestible nutrients, digestible energy and metabolizable energy contents (377.2 g/kg, 6.95 and 5.71 MJ/kg of dry matter, respectively), and net energy values for lactation, maintenance and growth. After 45 days of ensiling, C. ciliaris silages differed (P < 0.05) in dry matter, pH, and lactic acid contents, and their values ranged between 255-339, 4.06-5.17 g/kg of dry matter and 10.8-28.0 g/kg of dry matter, respectively. Maize silage had higher (P < 0.05) Organic Matter (919.5g/kg of dry matter), ether extract (20.4g/kg of dry matter) and hemi-cellulose (272.3 g/kg of dry matter) than IG96-401 and IG96-96 silages. The total carbohydrates and non-structural carbohydrates of maize silage were higher (P < 0.05), while structural carbohydrates were comparable (P < 0.05) with C. ciliaris silages. Sheep on maize silage had (P < 0.05) higher metabolizable energy, lower crude protein, and digestible crude protein intake (g/kg of dry matter) than those on C. ciliaris silage diets. Nitrogen intake and urinary-N excretion were higher (P < 0.05) on genotype IG96-96 silage diet. Overall, this study suggested that certain C. ciliaris genotypes, notably IG96-401 and IG96-96, exhibited nutritive values comparable to maize silage in sheep studies, offering a promising avenue for future exploration as potential alternatives in diversified and sustainable livestock nutrition programs.

Evaluation of global Cenchrus germplasm for key nutritional and silage quality traits.

Cenchrus is important genera of grasses inhabiting tropical pastures and the Indian grasslands system. Its forage value is well established to sustain nomadic livestock and wildlife. This study deals with the evaluation of the representative set of global Cenchrus germplasm collection with 79 accessions belonging to six species (C. ciliaris, C. setigerus, C. echinatus, C. myosuroides, C. pennisetiformis, and C. biflorus) at flowering stage. Crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose, and lignin values were in the range of 61.1-136, 640-749, 373-490, 277-375, and 35.6-75.50 g kg-1DM, respectively, while sugar contents varied from 11.6 to 101 mg g-1 DM. From the evaluated germplasm, 14 accessions of C. ciliaris having >70 mg g-1 DM sugar contents were selected and further evaluated for protein, fiber, carbohydrate and protein fractions, palatability indices, in vitro CH4 production, and ensiling traits. Protein contents were lower in EC397323 (61.8) and higher in IG96-96 (91.5), while the NDF, ADF, cellulose, and lignin contents varied between 678-783, 446-528, 331-405, and 39.6-62.0 g kg-1DM, respectively. The carbohydrate and protein fractions of selected accessions differed (p < 0.05), and the sugar contents varied (p < 0.05) between 74.6 and 89.6 mg-1g DM. Dry matter intake (DMI) and relative feed value (RFV) of accessions varied (p < 0.05) and were in the range of 1.53-1.77% and 58.2-73.8 g kg-1 DM, respectively. The total digestible nutrients (TDNs), digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME) of selected accessions varied between 362-487 g kg-1 DM, 6.62-8.90, and 5.42-7.29 Mj kg-1 DM, respectively. In vitro gas and CH4 production (24 h) varied (p < 0.05) between 73.1 to 146 and 7.72 to 21.5 ml/g, respectively, while the degraded dry matter (g kg-1 DM) and CH4 (ml/g DDM) ranged between 399-579 and 17.4-47.2, respectively. The DM contents at ensiling, silage pH, and lactic acid contents of accessions differed (p < 0.05) and ranged between 185-345 g kg-1 DM, 5.10-6.05, and 1.39-23.3 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Wide genetic diversity existed in germplasm and selected C. ciliaris accessions for protein fiber, energy, sugar, and other nutritional traits. Silage prepared from EC397366, IG96-96, IG96-50, and EC397323 had pH and lactic acid contents acceptable for moderate to good quality silage of tropical range grasses.