In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation of Foliage From Native Trees of the Chaco Region: Effects of Tree Species and Tannins

Ruminant production in the Chaco region relies mainly on pastures and naturally available foliage from native forests. However, the nutritional value of this foliage remains poorly characterized and may be affected by tannins. This study evaluated the nutritional value, and tannin effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation of foliage from tree species of the Chaco region: Prosopis affinis (PA), Prosopis nigra (PN), Acacia polyphylla (AP), Phyllostylon rhamnoides (PR), and Tabebuia nodosa (TN). Samples were incubated with or without polyethylene glycol (PEG) to assess tannin effects on gas production and nitrogen (N) degradability. All species were high in crude protein (CP; ≥17% DM). Tannin content was high in PN and PA (>4% DM), and low (<1% DM) in PR, AP, and TN. In situ digestibility was low (≤51%) in all species except PR (73%; p < 0.05). Gas production was higher in PA, PR, and TN (p < 0.05), with no PEG effect. Both species and PEG affected the effective N degradability, with PEG significantly increasing it in PN and AP (p < 0.05). Although foliages are high in CP, their digestibility is generally low, much of the N is fiber-bound, and tannins may further limit N degradability.