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Digestibility, Total Digestible Nutrient and Nitrogen Balance Studies on Tamarugo (Prosopis Tamarugo Phil.) Forage¹

University of Chile,² Santiago and University of California,^,3 Davis 95616

Abstract

The tamarugo (P. tamarugo Phil.) has shown promise as a forage tree in the great desert of North Chile. The digestibility and TDN values were determined on fruit and leaves collected from one year accumulations of the natural fall from mature trees. The TDN value of about 45% for fruit appeared to be slightly higher than that of leaves which as calculated by difference was found to be about 40%. At approximately voluntary levels of dry matter intake in this study (fruits, 1.5 kg and the mixture of fruits and leaves, 1.3 kg) the TDN consumption should be adequate to meet maintenance requirements. The protein content of the forage and its digestibility and availability permitted positive nitrogen balances in all trials. The results of this study support earlier more cursory observations that the forage from tamarugo trees has potential as a feed for sheep and that further, more detailed studies are justified.

¹ Supported in part by Ford Foundation through the University of Chile—University of California Convenio and in part by Corfo. Santiago, Chile.

² Department of Animal Production.

³ Department of Animal Science.