EXPLORING THE FEEDING VALUE OF NAJAS HORRIDA (Aquatic Plant) AS FODDER FOR SHEEP AND GOATS

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the feeding potential of Najas horrida [Submerged aquatic plants] for sheep and goats. Although Najas spp. [Najas horrida, Najas marina subsp. armata and Najas minor] are essential aquatic fodder resources for nomadic groups [Bedouins] living in Allaqi, particularly in the periods of low available grazing resources, it has some reverse impacts on the livestock. Crud protein, crud fiber, crud fat and total carbohydrate were measured to evaluate the nutritive value of Najas (pure) or as a mixture (Najas : Grasses and  Najas : Tamarix nilotica in proportions 2 : 1 and  1 : 2 for both plants Grasses and Tamarix) in comparison with other commonly used fodder. The reference fodder resources were: Grasses (mixture of Cyperus michelianus, Cynodon dactylon, Fimbristylis bis-umbellata and dominated by Eragrostis aegyptiaca), Tamarix nilotica, Glinus lotoides, Acacia raddiana, Salvadora persica, Balanites aegyptiaca and the leaves of maize, alfalfa and straw. Results indicated that Najas horrida has high content of crude protein in comparison to other common fodders. The only fodder source that higher in protein than Najas horrida was the leaves of Acacia raddiana. Low carbohydrate and moderate fat contents were detected in Najas in compared with all types of fodders examined in the experiment. Najas horrida fiber content was much higher than Salvadora persica, Glinus lotoides and Tamarix nilotica and approximately equal to maize, Acacia raddiana and straw leaves.  Najas-Grasses mixtures increase the fiber and carbohydrate contents but reduce the protein and fats, while Najas-Tamarix mixtures reduced the value of Najas as fodder, that it lowered protein, fats and fiber. Feeding experiment applied on Bedouins livestock [Five sheep and five goats] confirmed the results obtained previously from the qualitative evaluation experiment, Najas-Grasses mixtures was the most nutritive fodder compared with others. In contrast sheep and goats feed by Najas-Tamarix mixture recorded least live weights.  The consumption of dry matter intake increased in higher contents of grasses in the mixture, while the acceptance of Najas-Tamarix mixture as fodder by both sheep and goats was less than any other type of diets. No difference in water intake was observed between pure Najas and Najas-Grasses mixtures, while the water intake increased with Najas-Tamarix mixture.

Keywords:  Najas horrida, fodder qualitative evaluation, animal feeding experiment.