Digestibility and nitrogen utilization of arrowroot maranta arundinacea forage and root crown and root fractions by lambs
Erdman, M.D.; Mccormick, M.E.; Newton, G.L.
Nutrition Reports International 34(3): 413-420
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-6635 Accession: 005161290
Arrowroot aerial forage (AF) and root crown and roots (RCR) were individually pelleted and fed at 50 and 100% levels to three lambs each in a 7-day preliminary and 7-day total feces and urine collection trial. Diets containing 50% levels of AF and RCR were supplemented with a basal diet composed of cottonseed hulls, ground corn, cotton-seed meal and minerals. Consumption of 100% RCR was less than 25 grams during the first 24 hours of feeding, and this diet was discontinued. Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fiber, and fat digestibilities were comparable for the basal and 50% diets. Crude protein and crude fiber digestibilities were similar (P > 0.05) for all diets. The results indicate that it may be feasible to utilize arrowroot forage as a feedstuff for ruminants. The composition and digestibiilty of the forage suggests its best use could be in a maintenance diet as a substitute for other modest quality roughages. The RCR fractions were high in ash content (30 to 55%) and appear unsuitable for use as a feedstuff.