scholarly journals The role of condensed tannins in the nutritional value of Lotus pedunculatus for sheep

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. Barry
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Lotus Pedunculatus ◽  
High Concentrations

1. Lotus pedunculatus (cv. Grasslands Maku) grown on acid low-fertility soil and containing high concentrations of condensed tannin (76–90 g/kg dry matter (DM)) was grazed by growing sheep for 31–42 d periods in three experiments. In Expt 2 an additional group of lambs grazed areas oversown with white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Lambs were transferred from grazing ryegrass (Lolium perenne) – white clover straight on to lotus in all experiments (unconditioned sheep). In Expt 3 a second group was included which had grazed high-tannin lotus for a pre-experimental period of 8 weeks (conditioned sheep).2. Effects of condensed tannin on body and wool growth were assessed by studying responses to daily oral administration of polyethylene glycol (PEG; molecular weight 3350, 75–100 g/d). PEG forms a complex with condensed tannin, which is assumed to be inert in its passage through the digestive system, and so effectively reduces the nutritional effects attributable to high condensed-tannin concentrations.3. Live-weight gain (LWG) in the absence of PEG was low (27–125 g/d) for sheep grazing high-tannin lotus, and PEG administration increased LWG by 41–61 g/d and increased wool growth. In Expt 3, responses to PEG supplementation tended to be less with conditioned than with unconditioned sheep, indicating that conditioned sheep had partially adapted to the high-tannin diet.4. PEG supplementation had no effect on either LWG or wool growth of sheep grazing areas oversown with mixed clovers, confirming its effects as specific to forages containing condensed tannins. These experiments therefore conclusively show that high concentrations of condensed tannin induced by growing Lotus pedunculatus under low soil fertility conditions prevent maximum expression of LWG and wool growth in grazing sheep. These results contrast with high LWG (153–315 g/d) observed in growing sheep grazing the same lotus cultivar grown in high fertility soil and containing 20 g condensed tannin/kg DM, a level considered to be nutritionally beneficial.

scholarly journals The role of condensed tannins in the nutritional value of Lotus pedunculatus for sheep

1984 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. Barry ◽  
S. J. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
Secondary Growth ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Lotus Pedunculatus ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
High Concentrations

1. Voluntary intake was determined with vegetative Lotus pedunculatus cut and fed fresh to growing sheep of 42–46 kg live weight. Effects attributable to condensed tannins were assessed by growing the plant under high and low levels of soil fertility, inducing low and high concentrations of tannin (Expt 1), or by binding the tannins through spraying the herbage with polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 3350, PEG; Expt 2). Primary-growth lotus was used in Expt 1 and secondary-growth lotus in Expt 2. Concentrations of total and free condensed tannin were determined in fresh lotus, free tanning being defined as that not bound by mascerates of the plant.2. In Expt 1 the herbages fed contained respectively 46 and 106 g total condensed tannin/kg dry matter (DM) and 3 and 14 g free condensed tannin/kg DM. Mean metabolizable energy (ME) intakes were 0.89 and 0.77 MJ/kg live weight0.75 per d (P < 0.05) respectively.3. The lotus used in Expt 2 contained 63 and 5 g total reactive condensed tannin and free condensed tannin/kg DM respectively. After spraying with PEG at 2.4 g/g total condensed tannin, these values were reduced to 7 and 0.5 g/kg DM respectively. PEG addition increased apparent digestibility (proportion of each nutrient ingested) of cellulose, hemicellulose and nitrogen by 0.05, 0.08 and 0.26, and increased ME intake from 0.48 to 0.69 MJ/kg live weight0.75 per d.4. It was concluded that high concentrations of condensed tannins depressed ME intake, due to depressions in both the voluntary intake and digestion of organic matter. The stimulation of hemicellulose and cellulose digestion by PEG addition suggests that the condensed tannin was depressing rumen digestion.5. It is considered that free tannins are most likely to have been responsible for the depressive effects in the present study. This could be due to their reaction with microbial enzymes in the rumen, the tannin content of the plant exceeding the capacity of the plant protein to bind it, or to reaction with enzymes secreted into the small intestine following the absorption of amino acids. In either instance free tannins could also react with proteins of the gut wall.

scholarly journals Forages with condensed tannins - their management and nutritive value for ruminants

1998 ◽  
pp. 89-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.C. Waghorn ◽  
G.B. Douglas ◽  
J.H. Niezen ◽  
W.C. Mcnabb ◽  
A.G. Foote
Keyword(s):  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Successful Establishment

Temperate forage legumes that contain condensed tannins (CT) have been evaluated under experimental conditions and some have demonstrated significant benefits for sheep, cattle and deer. Condensed tannins can significantly improve productive performance, as well as lessen our dependence on anthelmintic drenches. However, not all CT are equal and some may not benefit production at all. This paper summarises the performance responses of ruminants to CT in birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), lotus (Lotus pedunculatus), sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and erect dorycnium (Dorycnium rectum), and indicates the requirements for successful establishment and management of these swards. All require specialist care, and few will compete with common pasture species in high-fertility situations, but the potential benefits of reduced anthelmintic requirements when sheep are fed sulla, and the lowered incidence of flystrike and improved weight gain, wool growth, milk production and ovulation rate attributable to the CT in birdsfoot trefoil, makes these attractive options for farmers. Lotus is a high quality feed for wet, acid, low-fertility soils and sainfoin may result in very good stock performance in dry regions. Annual dry matter yields of the five species outlined here range from about 10 to 25 t/ha and some of these forages will benefit producers who are prepared to manage these forages correctly. Keywords: birdsfoot trefoil, condensed tannin, dorycnium, forage legume, lotus, ruminant nutrition, sainfoin, sulla

THE ROLE OF CONDENSED TANNINS IN THE DIGESTION OF FRESH Lotus pedunculatus BY SHEEP

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 181-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. BARRY
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Hormone Concentration ◽  
Plasma Growth Hormone ◽  
Tannin Concentration ◽  
Lotus Pedunculatus ◽  
Ruminal Digestion

Relative to non-tannin-containing fresh forages, condensed tannins in Lotus pedunculatus increased duodenal N flow and calculated absorption of amino acids from the small intestine, but depressed ruminal digestion of soluble carbohydrate and hemicellulose. Plasma growth hormone concentration was positively and linearly related to forage condensed tannin concentration. Key words: Condensed tannin, nitrogen digestion, growth hormone

scholarly journals The effect of condensed tannins in Lotus corniculatus upon reproductive efficiency and wool production in sheep during late summer and autumn

1999 ◽  
pp. 51-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.N. Barry ◽  
W.C. Mcnabb ◽  
P.D. Kemp ◽  
G.C. Waghorn ◽  
B.R. Min ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Maximum Increase ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
Wool Growth

(23 g condensed tannins (CT) /kg DM) and perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture (1 g CT/ kg DM) during the late summer/autumn of 1997 (Experiment 1) and 1998 (Experiment 2). Ewes were in thin condition and weighed 54 kg in Experiment 1 and were fat and weighed 60 kg in Experiment 2. Oestrus was synchronised for two cycles in Experiment 1 and four cycles in Experiment 2. Ewes were grazed at maintenance for the first 10 days of each oestrus cycle and then ad libitum for the last 6 days, including ovulation. Half the ewes grazing L. corniculatus were drenched twice daily with polyethylene glycol (PEG), to inactivate the condensed tannins. Relative to ewes grazing pasture, grazing ewes on L. corniculatus increased both ovulation rate (OR) and wool production, with the response in OR being greater in Experiment 1 (34%) than in Experiment 2 (13%). Maximum increase in OR occurred after grazing lotus for two cycles (5 weeks). Increases in fecundity were caused by a reduction in the proportion of ewes exhibiting single ovulation and increases in the proportions having doubled and triple or quadruple ovulations. As judged by responses to PEG supplementation, part of the L. corniculatus response in OR could be explained by action of CT in Experiment 1 but not in Experiment 2. As voluntary feed intake was similar between the treatments, feeding L. corniculatus improved the efficiency with which ingested nutrients were used for reproduction and wool growth. It was concluded that grazing L. corniculatus during autumn has most potential for increasing OR in lighter ewes. Keywords: condensed tannin, forage, Lotus corniculatus, nutritive value, ovulation rate, wool growth Abbreviations

scholarly journals Improving environmental benefits of white clover through condensed tannin expression

2019 ◽  
pp. 195-202
Author(s):  
Derek R. Woodfield ◽  
Marissa B. Roldan ◽  
Christine R. Voisey ◽  
Greig R. Cousins ◽  
John R. Caradus
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Forage Legumes ◽  
N Losses

Forage legumes improve both the intake and quality of the diet in pasture-based livestock systems. However, the high protein content of these forages can lead to inefficient nitrogen utilisation in the rumen and to high nitrogen (N) losses in urine and dung. Condensed tannins in forages have been shown to significantly reduce N leaching and also methane emissions. The use of classical breeding approaches over more than 50 years has failed to elevate condensed tannins in forage legumes. However, molecular biology approaches have achieved condensed tannin expression in white clover at levels that are biologically significant (>2% of dry matter). Results from a field trial in the USA showed that while condensed tannin levels in white clover (Trifolium repens) were similar to those produced by birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), plants did suffer a yield penalty. Protein binding assays were conducted by incubating soluble white clover leaf CTs in a solution containing the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). The CTs in white clover leaves efficiently precipitated BSA from the supernatant at pH 6.5, and these CT-protein complexes dissociated at pH 2.5.While the use of genetically modified organisms in New Zealand is regulated, this development has the potential to improve environmental, animal health and animal productivity outcomes from grazed pasture systems.

scholarly journals The role of condensed tannins in the nutritional value of Lotus pedunculatus for sheep

1984 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. Barry ◽  
T. R. Manley
Keyword(s):  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Total N ◽  
Lotus Pedunculatus ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Ruminal Digestion ◽  
Forage Diets

1. Primary growth vegetative Lotus pedunculatus containing 46 and 106 g/kg dry matter (DM) of total condensed tannin and 3 and 14 g/kg DM of free condensed tannin, was cut and fed fresh at hourly intervals (750 g DM/d) to sheep fitted with permanent cannulas into the rumen and duodenum. Low- and high-tannin lotus contained respectively 41.3 and 31.6 g total nitrogen/kg DM and 132 and 152 g lignin/kg DM. The two forms of lotus were similar in carbohydrate composition.2. Nutrient intake was recorded and faecal output measured by direct collection. Digesta flow to the duodenum was estimated by measuring dilution at the duodenum of inert ruthenium phenanthroline (Ru-P) and chromium-EDTA markers continuously infused into the rumen.3. Effects attributable to condensed tannins were assessed by comparing the digestion of the two diets, and by comparing the digestion of each with predicted values for non-tannin-containing fresh forages fed at similar intakes.4. Apparent digestibility of all nutrients measured was less for high- than for low-tannin lotus (P < 0.01). The levels of cellulose digested ruminally and post-ruminally in both forms of lotus were similar to predicted values. However, less hemicellulose and readily fermentable carbohydrate (RFC; soluble carbohydrate + pectin) was digested in the rumen in sheep given both forms of lotus than would be predicted for non-tannin-containing fresh forage diets, but this was compensated for by greater post-ruminal absorption of both nutrients.5. Total N gains across the rumen (duodenal N flow – total N intake) were 1.8 and 10.5 g/d for low- and high-tannin lotus v. predicted losses of 3.7 and 2.1 g/d for non-tannin-containing fresh forages given at the same total N intakes. Post-ruminal digestion of non-amonia-N (NAN; proportion NAN flowing at duodenum) was 0.71 and 0.67 for low- and high-tannin lotus respectively v. 0.76 for comparable non-tannin-containing fresh forages. Energy absorbed as amino acids from the small intestine was calculated to be 0.29 of metabolizable energy for both forms of lotus, compared with 0.17 and 0.21 for perennial ryegrass and white clover.6. It was concluded that the presence of condensed tannins in lotus markedly increased post-ruminal NAN absorption compared with non-tannin-containing fresh forage diets, but depressed ruminal digestion of RFC and hemicellulose.

Pasture type in relation to live-weight gain, carcass composition, iodine nutrition and some rumen characteristics of sheep I. Live-weight growth of the sheep

1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Rae ◽  
R. W. Brougham ◽  
A. C. Glenday ◽  
G. W. Butler
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Iodine Nutrition ◽  
Rye Grass ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Weight Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

1. Two trials are described in which the live weights of sheep grazing four different pastures were compared. The four pastures comprised perennial rye-grass (P), perennial rye-grass plus white clover (P + C), short-rotation rye-grass (S), short-rotation rye-grass plus white clover (S + C).2. Large and highly significant differences existed between the mean live weight of the sheep on the various pastures in each trial. Thus the P sheep had a mean live weight of 107 and 102 lb. in trials I and II, respectively, at the end of each investigation, the P + C sheep 123 and 122 lb., the S sheep 125 and 126 lb., and the S + C sheep 140 and 137 lb.3. The differences in live-weight growth on the four pastures contain two major effects; an effect due to the difference between P and S and an effect which can be attributed to the presence of white clover in the pasture treatment.

scholarly journals HERBAGE PRODUCTION OF PASTURE LEGUMES AT THREE SITES IN OTAGO

1975 ◽  
pp. 182-195
Author(s):  
R.B. Allen ◽  
I.R. Mcdonald ◽  
N.A. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
The Third ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Matter Production

White clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (T. pratense), subtcrrnnean clover (T. subterraneum) and alsike clover (T. hybridum) were sown singly or in combinations at three sites in Otago. Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was included in all clover treatments and was also sown alone. Lucerne (Medicago sativa) was sown alone at two sites. Herbage dry matter production was measured over a three-year period. At the high fertility lnvermay site, white and red clovers gave similar total and legume dry matter production and were markedly superior to alsike and subterranean clovers. White and nlsike clovers were most productive at the higher altitude, low fertility Berwick site, and at the dry, medium fertility Dunback site red clover produced the highest yields. Lucerne greatly outyielded all other species in the second and third years at Invermay and in the third year at Dunback.

scholarly journals Sheep production and agronomic performance of Lotus corniculatus under dryland farming

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 109-115
Author(s):  
T.N. Barry ◽  
P.D. Kemp ◽  
C.A. Ramirez-Restrepo ◽  
N. Lopezvillalobos
Keyword(s):  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Body Growth ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
Wool Growth

Lotus corniculatus (lotus) contains condensed tannins (CT; 25-35 g/kg DM), which reduce the microbial degradation of forage protein in the rumen and increase amino acid absorption from the small intestine. In grazing experiments at Palmerston North during the 1990s, sheep grazing L. corniculatus had superior wool production, body growth and ovulation rates (OR) relative to sheep grazing lucerne (Medicago sativa) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Tritolium repens) pasture. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) drenching studies showed that action of CT was responsible for a component of the increases in wool growth and OR, but not body growth, and increased milk yield in lactating ewes. The 'Massey lotus' programme moved in 2000 to Riverside farm in the Wairarapa, where L. corniculatus is more agronomically suited, and its integration into dryland farming systems is being studied. We aim to develop systems that increase animal productivity whilst also reducing chemical input, notably of anthelmintic drenches. In two experiments conducted over 12 weeks in spring, ewes and lambs grazing L. corniculatus without pre-lamb drenching had lower faecal egg counts (FEC) and lower dag scores than ewes and lambs grazing pasture. Also, liveweight gain (+44%), weaning weight (+26%) and wool production (+32%) were greater for lambs grazing lotus. Weaned lambs grazing L. corniculatus over 14 weeks in summer grew faster than those grazing pasture (298 cf. 201 g/day) when regularly drenched. Reduction of anthelmintic drenching reduced the growth rates of lambs grazing L. corniculatus, but at 228 g/day this was still much faster than those grazing pasture (187 g/day). Lambs grazing L. corniculatus with restricted anthelmintic grew slightly faster than regularly drenched lambs grazing pasture. In addition, ewes mated on L. corniculatus had greater ovulation rates, lambing % and weaning % (approximately 25%) than ewes mated on pasture. Lamb weaning weight was unaffected by the ewes grazing L. corniculatus during mating, but mortality rate during the period from birth to weaning was lower for lambs that were conceived when their dams were grazing lotus. Annual (dry matter) production under grazing averaged over two years (2000-2001), was 9.5 t/ha for L. corniculatus and 8.6 t/ha for pasture. The percentages of annual production that occurred in spring, summer, autumn and winter were 49, 40, 8 and 4%, respectively, for L. corniculatus and 55, 30, 9 and 6%, respectively, for pasture. L. corniculatus has potential as a specialist feed in dryland farming systems for use during mating to increase subsequent lambing percentage and to increase lamb growth while reducing anthelmintic use. The result is more lambs being drafted at an earlier age. Key words: agronomy, body growth, condensed tannins, dry matter yield, Lotus corniculatus, reproduction, sheep, withdrawing anthelmintic, wool growth

Agronomic evaluation of white clover selected for increased floral condensed tannin

2003 ◽  
pp. 139-145
Author(s):  
V.T. Burggraaf ◽  
P.D. Kemp ◽  
E.R. Thom ◽  
G.C. Waghorn ◽  
D.R. Woodfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
First Year ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Flowering Season ◽  
Agronomic Evaluation ◽  
Point Density

The agronomic performance of an experimental white clover (HT) selection bred for increased floral condensed tannin (CT) production and extended flowering season was compared with Grasslands Huia white clover, under dairy cow grazing in the Waikato. Pure clover swards were sown at 5 kg/ha in autumn 2001. Seedling establishment was better in HT than Huia, but stolon growing point densities from January 2002 to May 2003 were 13 to 62% greater in Huia than HT. Huia swards had higher clover contents than HT, and produced 0.8 t/ha more DM (dry matter) in the first year. CT concentr ations in the flower heads varied over the season, but were similar in the two clovers (1 to 8% of DM). Higher flower densities in HT resulted in higher clover CT concentrations (peak of 0.6 vs 1.2 % of DM for Huia and HT, r espectively). Further testing is required to determine any effects of HT on animal performance. Keywords: condensed tannins, flowering, growing point density, Trifolium repens, white clover

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