Rendimiento de forraje de árboles, arbustos y preferencia de consumo en conejos

Abstract

The aim of this research was evaluate the yield of fodder biomass of trees and shrubs, as well as, the preference of fodder in rabbits. This research was conducted at the Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias-UTA. The forage yield, nutritional value, secondary compounds and preference of forage of: Malva sylvestris, Baccharis floribunda, Sparticum junceum, Ambrosia arborescens and Paraserianthes lophantha were determined. This research was conducted under a completely randomized design. The variables studied are analyzed by analysis of variance according to the design used. The yield of fodder biomass was higher (P = 0,0001) for M. sylvestris, A. arborescens and P. lophantha (459,2; 551,1; 682,6 gDM/plant respectively) compared with the other forages. The results of Phytochemical screening show that Malva sylvestris has slight concentration of saponins. P. lophantha showed high concentration of tannins, and S. junceum high presence of total phenols. The higher (P = 0,0001) preference of fodder was for M. sylvestris (18,44 gDM/day), followed by B. floribunda (8,6 gDM/day) and S. junceum (9,4 gDM/day) and the lowest preference for P. lophantha (3,8 gDM/day) and A. arborescens (3,7 gDM/day). It’s concluded that the bushes as M. sylvestris, B. floribunda and S. junceum can be used as feed for rabbits, for their high yield of forage biomass, protein content and low fiber values and secondary compounds.