Supplementation of Water Spinach () on the utilization of and leaf for fermentation.

Background And Aim: (Water Spinach) is the most potential for livestock growth performance, including chickens, pigs, cattle, and goats, especially in a tropical country like Cambodia. It is not only an alternative feed source but also one kind of supplemented feed for goat raising. Supplementation with Water Spinach in the utilization of low-quality tree foliage results in an increase in dry matter intake in goat production. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of supplementation of Water Spinach in the utilization of and leaf in fermentation.

Materials And Methods: The study was designed according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in randomized design of seven treatments with different ratios consisted of different three types of dietary treatments, including , , and Water Spinach. The treatments were arranged according to a completely randomized design and were as follow: T1 = leaf (100%); T2 = leaf (100%); T3 = leaf and leaf (50% and 50%); T4 = leaf and Water Spinach (99.5% and 0.5%); T5 = leaf and Water Spinach (99.5% and 0.5%); T6 = leaf and Water Spinach (99% and 1%); and T7 = leaf and Water Spinach (99% and 1%). A total of 200 mg (dry matter) of dietary treatments were prepared in a 60 mL syringe. Each treatment was replicated 3 time. Gas recording of each treatment lasted for 3 days. was performed for 72 h, was followed by Makkar method. Gas production was recorded at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h of incubation by using strict anaerobic technique. A mixture of rumen fluid and dietary treatments were carried out under continuous flushing with CO in sharking incubator at 39°C. After incubating for 72 h, the ammonia concentration (NH-N) was measured and recorded to identify pH, nutrient digestibility, and ammonia concentration (NH-N).

Results: Nutrient digestibility of the treatment with Water Spinach supplement in the utilization of was obtained at a higher digestibility than treatment with (p < 0.05). Gas production was different between groups (p < 0.05). Treatment with only leaf had the highest gas production (A), while treatment with Water Spinach supplementation had the lowest gas production (A). At 0-24 h, the treatment with leaf and Water Spinach 0.5% had the highest gas production, but after 24 h, leaf and Water Spinach 1% and leaf and Water Spinach 0.5% produced more gas compared to the other treatments (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The supplementation of Water Spinach 1% in treatment with and leaf resulted in increased degradability, gas production, and NH-N concentration without a change in the pH value rumen condition. Based on these results, it is recommended that the level of Water Spinach supplementation should be 1% of dietary intake. Future studies should consider investigating the rumen ecology associated with Water Spinach supplementation. Feeding with Water Spinach remains a good supplement for ruminant performance; therefore, further studies should be conducted using Water Spinach in ruminant feeding in both metabolic and feeding trials.