Effect of a tannin-rich foliage (Mimosa pigra) on feed intake, digestibility, N retention and methane production in goats fed a basal diet of Muntingia calabura

Abstract

Four male weaned crossbred goats (Bachthao × local female) with an initial weight of 11.61 ± 0.3 kg were used in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design to compare replacement of Muntingia calabura foliage with Mimosa pigra at four levels: 0, 25, 50 and 75% (DM basis). Increasing the replacement of N in Muntingia by that in Mimosa led to increases in DM intake, apparent digestibility of crude protein and N retention. Methane production was reduced by replacing Muntingia N with Mimosa N with the greatest effect (42% reduction) with 72% of the diet N from Mimosa.