In vitro gas production and in situ degradation of Mesquite leaves and pods in Arabian camels in Iran

This experiment was conducted to study the use of mesquite tree (Prosopis juliflora) leaves and pods in the diet of Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Khuzestan, Iran. Fresh leaves and pods were collected, air dried and ground. The gas production parameters of samples were determined by gas test and parameters of foregut degradability by in situ technique. The data were analysed in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The gas production potential of the Prosopis juliflora pods was higher (P<0.05) than that of its leaves (42.16 vs 16.66 mL), but the production rates were similar (P>0.05). The values of the partitioning factor, microbial biomass, biomass efficiency and truly digested organic matter were higher for leaves than for pods (P<0.05). The rapidly degradable fraction and effective degradability of dry matter of P. juliflora pods were 0.48 and 0.67, respectively, higher values (P<0.05) than those of leaves (0.34 and 0.56, respectively). However, the slowly degradable fraction of leaves was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of pods (0.51 vs 0.25, respectively). The extent to which leaves, and pods were fermented and their in situ degradation rate suggest their usefulness as dietary ingredients for camels and possibly for other foregut fermenters