NUTRIENT COMPOSITION, IN-VITRO GAS-PRODUCTION AND DIGESTIBILITY OF FENUGREEK (TRIGONELLA-FOENUM-GRAECUM) AND ALFALFA FORAGES

Nutritive value of forage from the annual legume fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) was evaluated by comparing its chemical compositio n, in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) and in vitro gas producti on with that of alfalfa. Samples of forage grown in a greenhouse or in field plots under irrigation were collected 9, 15, and 19 wk postseed ing and nutritive quality was compared with alfalfa harvested at early -bloom. Greenhouse grown fenugreek-9 contained more ash than alfalfa c ut at early-bloom, yet the IVDMD of fenugreek-9 was greater than that of the alfalfa. Total in vitro gas production was generally greater fo r alfalfa than fenugreek; however, lag time prior to initiation of gas production was shorter for alfalfa than fenugreek. Greenhouse grown f enugreek-15 or -19 contained less CP than alfalfa, while the NDF conte nt of fenugreek-19 was highest. The IVDMD of fenugreek-15 and -19 were greater (P < 0.05) than for alfalfa. Total in vitro gas production wa s similar for all forages. The rate of gas production was slower (P < 0.05) for fenugreek-19 than for alfalfa. Fenugreek-9 harvested from fi eld plots contained higher (P < 0.05) CP than fenugreek-15 and -19 and alfalfa, Protein content of fenugreek-19 was similar to that of early -bloom alfalfa (P > 0.05), while NDF and ADF contents of fenugreek-9 a nd -15 were lower (P < 0.05) than alfalfa. Total in vitro gas producti on of fenugreek-19 was similar to that of alfalfa even though the rate of gas production was slower for fenugreek-19 than for alfalfa. Volat ile fatty acids production and composition were generally similar for fenugreek-15 or -19 and early-bloom alfalfa. The estimated DM yield of fenugreek-19 from plots was approximately 10.4 t ha(-1). These result s suggest that the nutritive value of fenugreek biomass regardless of its stage of growth, is at least comparable to that of early-bloom alf alfa and so it has potential as a forage crop. Feeding trials with cat tle are still required to determine intake and utilization potential o f this crop.