English
Digestibility and nitrogen and water balance in horses fed rhizoma peanut hay.
Abstract: Rhizoma peanut (RP, Arachis glabrata) hay has the potential to meet horses' crude protein (CP) requirements with less nitrogen excretion than other legumes. This study aimed to evaluate nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, and nitrogen balance of RP "Florigraze" hay compared with alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L. "Legendary XHD") and bermudagrass (BG, Cynodon dactylon L. "Coastal") hays when fed to maintenance horses at 2% body weight/d on a dry matter (DM) basis. We hypothesized that nutrient intake would be comparable between the legume hays and lesser for BG and that RP would result in reduced nitrogen excretion compared with ALF. Six mature Quarter Horse geldings (593 ± 40 kg; mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to one of the hays in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square with 21-d periods. A 14-d adaptation phase was followed by a 3-d total fecal and urine collection. Days 18 to 21 were used for a companion study. Intake of nutrients is reported on a DM basis. Digestible energy (DE) intakes from ALF (29.91 Mcal/d) and RP (29.37 Mcal/d) were greater (P < 0.0001) than BG (20.78 Mcal/d). CP intake was greater (P < 0.0001) for ALF (2.5 kg/d), followed by RP (1.9 kg/d) and BG (1.5 kg/d). All hays exceeded maintenance requirements for DE, CP, Ca, and P. Apparent digestibility of DM and CP was greatest (P < 0.0001) for ALF (69% and 84%), intermediate for RP (61% and 72%), and least for BG (46% and 64%). Apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber did not differ (P = 0.2228) among hays, while digestibility of acid detergent fiber (P = 0.0054) was least for RP but similar for ALF and BG. Water intake (kg/d) for ALF (57) was greater (P = 0.0068) than RP (45) and BG (41). Greater (P = 0.0271) water retention (kg/d) was observed for ALF (13.5), followed by RP (10.8) and BG (7.5). There was a difference in nitrogen excretion, with greatest urinary nitrogen excretion for ALF (P < 0.0001) and greatest fecal nitrogen excretion for BG (P = 0.0001). Total nitrogen excretion was greater (P < 0.0001) for ALF (278 g/d), followed by RP (211 g/d) and BG (179 g/d). Nitrogen retention was greater (P = 0.0005) for ALF when represented as g/d (ALF: 129, RP: 86, and BG: 57 g/d) but similar (P = 0.0377) to RP when presented as percent of nitrogen intake (ALF: 32%, RP: 29%, and BG: 24%). Results indicate that RP hay is a suitable legume for horses by meeting DE and CP requirements and having a significant reduction in nitrogen compared with ALF.
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Publication Date: 2021-10-12
PubMed ID: 34634110PubMed Central: PMC8763232DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab284Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Veterinary
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research examines the nutritional benefits of feeding horses with rhizoma peanut hay compared to alfalfa and bermudagrass hays. The study found that rhizoma peanut hay meets horses’ dietary needs and reduces nitrogen excretion, making it an efficient and eco-friendly food source for horses.
Objective and Hypothesis
- The primary goal of this study was to compare the nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, and nitrogen balance of Rhizoma Peanut (RP), Alfalfa (ALF), and Bermudagrass (BG) hays when provided to horses for maintenance. The researchers hypothesized that nutrient intake between legume hays (RP and ALF) would be similar, but less for BG, while RP is expected to cause lesser nitrogen excretion compared to ALF.
Methodology
- Six mature Quarter Horse geldings were included in the study and were randomly assigned to one of the three types of hay for a period of 21 days. The first 14 days served as an adaptation phase, followed by a three-day full collection of fecal and urine matter.
- The intake of nutrients from each type of hay was measured on a dry matter (DM) basis.
Findings
- The study discovered digestible energy (DE) intakes from ALF and RP hays were significantly higher than BG hay. Protein intake was also found to be higher in ALF and RP hays.
- On matters of apparent digestibility, ALF hay led with 69% (DM) and 84% (crude protein) whereas RP hay stood intermediate with considerable rates. BG had the least apparent digestibility for both DM and CP.
- Though the apparent digestibility rate of neutral detergent fiber did not differ among hays, acid detergent fiber digestibility was least in RP but similar for ALF and BG.
- Water intake was higher for horses fed on ALF hay. However, ALF hay also showed the greatest urinary nitrogen excretion. BG hay showed the greatest fecal nitrogen excretion. Despite higher nitrogen excretion rates, ALF hay had better nitrogen retention when represented in grams per day.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that RP hay is an appropriate choice of legume for horses as it meets DE and crude protein requirements. What sets RP hay apart is its significant reduction in nitrogen excretion compared to ALF, which suggests better ecological implications.
Cite This Article
APA
Vasco ACCM, Brinkley-Bissinger KJ, Bobel JM, Dubeux JCB, Warren LK, Wickens CL.
(2021).
Digestibility and nitrogen and water balance in horses fed rhizoma peanut hay.
J Anim Sci, 99(11), skab284.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab284
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
- North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL 32446, USA.
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animals
- Arachis
- Diet / veterinary
- Digestion
- Horses
- Male
- Medicago sativa
- Nitrogen
- Water
Grant Funding
- 26177 / Office of Agricultural Water Policy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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