Abstract 268

Moozhiyil,-M; Pallauf,-J

Inst. Tierernahrung Justus-Liebig-Univ. Giessen, Senckenbergstr. 5, 6300 Giessen, German Federal Republic.

EconomicBotany. 1986, 40: 3, 375-383; 43 ref.

The chemical composition of the now widespread tropical aquatic fern Salvinia molesta was analysed with regard to its suitability as a source of forage for ruminants. Three different stages of plant growth collected at 8 sites in Kerala, India, were air dried, taken to the German Federal Republic, and used for Weende analysis, detergent fibre analysis and the determination of gross energy, amino acids, tannins, and minerals. The concentration of 12.4% crude protein in sand-corrected DM and of some other nutrients in S. molesta is comparable to that in conventional forage. However, the high content of crude ash (17.3% in DM) and of lignin (13.7%) and the presence of tannins (0.93%) may reduce acceptance as well as digestibility and therefore restrict the use of S. molesta as a potential feed for ruminants.