Musonda, Vivian, Gardiner, Chris, and Walker, Glen (2025) Nutritional evaluation of Desmanthus to supplement Buffel grass. In: [Presented at TropAg 2025]. 70. p. 223. From: TropAg 2025: Addressing Global Challenges, 11-13 November 2026, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

An evaluation of the nutritional composition of Desmanthus legumes D. bicornutus (cv JCU 4), D. leptophyllus (cv JCU 7), D. pernambucanus (cv JCU 9), D. virgatus (cv JCU 2) and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) a common pasture grass was undertaken at James Cook University. Nutritional values from the lab analysis were then compared with animal requirements for Bos indicus steers according to the Australian feeding standards. The plants were grown and harvested from pots in a complete randomised design with three replications. The plants were harvested at 60 days post-germination at the flowering stage, plants were cut 5cm above the soil level, oven dried at 60oc for 72hrs then leaves separated from stems. The leaves were ground through a 1mm sieve and sent for analysis to Forage Lab Australia. The samples were analysed using Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). The statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in that nutrient composition differed among Desmanthus cultivars and with buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris). Desmanthus bicornutus cv JCU 4 had the highest values among Desmanthus cultivars with 17.80% CP, 10.00% RDP, 70.79% TDN and ME 11.20Mj/kg. Generally, all other Desmanthus cultivars had high values of CP, RDP, and ME compared to buffel grass. Buffel grass had higher values in DM 92.69%, ADF 42.00% and NDF 60.00% and lower value in TDN of 58.9% showing low digestibility compared to the Desmanthus cultivars. These low values in buffel grass indicate that it was at a marginal level to meet the requirements of 300kg Bos indicus steers according to Australian feeding standards. This suggests that there is a need to include a legume such as Desmanthus in the diet of young growing steers to increase CP, RDP and ME for improved productivity. Desmanthus is well adapted to semi-arid environments and compatible with buffel grass on clay soils.

Item ID:	85938
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Date Deposited:	24 Feb 2026 00:10
FoR Codes:	30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3003 Animal production > 300303 Animal nutrition @ 100%
SEO Codes:	10 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 1005 Pasture, browse and fodder crops > 100505 Sown pastures (excl. lucerne) @ 100%
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