The nutritive value of Lotus for sheep
G.C. Waghorn, I.D. Shelton
Grasslands Division, DSIR, Private Bag, Palmerston North, New
Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1992, 52: 89-92
The distribution of condensed tannins (CT) in plants, their mode
of action and benefits to ruminant nutrition are briefly reviewed. Data
are presented showing the CT in lotus species reduced rumen degradation
of protein and increased its flow to the intestine, but an increased
amino acid absorption only occurred with Lotus corniculatus,
suggesting the CT in Lotus pedunculatus prevented enzymic
hydrolysis of the protected protein. The extent to which CT in Lotus
pendunculatus depressed nitrogen (N) digestion was similar when fed
as a sole diet and when fed as a third of the diet with pasture. The
implications of these results are that both concentration and type of CT
are important in affecting nutritive value, and that these factors need
to be resolved before an effective plant selection program can be
undertaken.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Condensed tannin; lotus; sheep; protein digestion
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
