Alternative Forages as Roughage for Ruminant: Nutritional Characteristics and Digestibility of Six Exotic Plants in Azores Archipelago

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional potential of unconventional plants: , , , , , and , as an alternative roughage for ruminants. Chemical composition, gross energy, in vitro gas production, kinetics, and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter in vitro were determined for each species. The obtained results showed variations between the studied forages concerning crude protein, and the different fiber fractions: NDF, ADF, and ADL The with a relative food value of 92.12%, showed a significant difference compared to the other species under study. After 96 h of incubation, the plants that produced, on average, less in vitro gas were and . Among the studied species, stands out as the species that presented the highest gas production, with 31.53 mL. 200 mg DM, observing a significant difference compared to the other plants. This is a reflection of it having the highest DMD (60.44 ± 1.22%) as well. was the species with the longest colonization time (4.8 h). Among the plants studied, we highlight as presenting a good quality in the RFV index and as having good digestibility. Both can be used as roughage in periods of greater shortage of pastures.