THE NUTRITIVE VALUES OF SOME FORAGE CROPS OF PUERTO RICO

Abstract

The data for a total of seventeen digestion trials with sheep receiving grasses, legumes, two mixtures of these, and low protein synthetic mixtures as sole rations are reported. The biological values for the proteins of the cow pea increase as the plant passes from the just before blooming stage through the full bloom to the full pod stages of maturities. The biological values for proteins are also higher for the grasses than for the legumes when fed singly. The grasses studied during the last three years can be arranged in the following order of decreasing net-protein values: Guinea, Merker, Para, Elephant, Guatemala and Yaraguá. The nutritive ratio for the Yaraguá grass is very wide due to the low digestible protein, as is shown in the data. Alfalfa hay yields more total digestible nutrients, more crude fiber and more ether soluble extract than any of the other legumes studied. The percentage intake of protein stored is greater with a mixture of Merker grass and pigeon pea than when the grass is fed alone. The vitamin A activities of some grasses and legumes are reported.