RUMEN FERMENTATION AND NITROGEN RETENTION IN KACANG GOATS FED ELEPHANT GRASS COMBINED WITH PROTEIN-RICH TREE FOLIAGE

Abstract

Efficient tropical ruminant production requires high-quality local forages; protein-rich tree foliage can complement grasses to improve nutrient use. This study evaluated rumen fermentation and nitrogen retention of Kacang goats fed elephant grass combined with Moringa, Indigofera, Leucaena or Gliricidia foliage. Four goats were allotted to four dietary treatments in a 4×4 Latin square, receiving diets with 70% elephant grass and 30% of one foliage. Rumen pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia-N (NH₃-N) were measured immediately before the morning feeding (0 h) and 6 h after feeding. At 6 h post-feeding, rumen pH ranged from 6.32 (Moringa) to 6.57 (Indigofera), total VFA from 55.9 to 64.3 mmol/L and NH₃-N from 9.19 to 12.47 mg/dL. Indigofera and Gliricidia maintained higher rumen pH, Indigofera increased total VFA, and Moringa reduced NH₃-N from 12.86 to 9.19 mg/dL. Nitrogen retention ranged from 2.11 to 3.40 g/day and did not differ among treatments; all goats showed a positive nitrogen balance. Tropical foliage, particularly Indigofera and Moringa, thus beneficially modulates rumen fermentation without compromising nitrogen utilization in Kacang goats.