Bromatological composition and in situ ruminal degradability of tropical legumes with perspectives of use in cattle productive systems.

The foliage of six legumes in their vegetative stage: glycine, (Neonotonia wightii), centro (Centrosema pubescens), dolicho (Lablab purpureus), mucuna (Stizolobium aterrium), siratro (Macroptilium atrpurpureum) and arachis (Arachis pintoi) was collected to determine the ruminal degradability of the cell wall (NDF) and the chemical composition of tropical forage species. The plants were established on red ferralitic soil and they were randomly selected, simulating the animal selection. The in situ ruminal degradability was determined through the nylon bag technique in two Holstein bulls, cannulated in the rumen and in stalls. The concentration of CP in DM surpassed 18 % in all foliages, except dolicho and arachis, which had values of 14 %. The total degradability of the NDF (A + B), 72 h after its incubation in rumen, was of 57.8 %. Arachis with 75 % was oustanding. The results showed that the legumes analyzed have levels of protein higher than 14 % and low concentrations of fiber. More than 50 % of the NDF in all the plants was degraded in the rumen. This corroborated its use as diet supplement for ruminant animals fed low-quality forages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]