Rumen Fermentation Profiles of Sorghum-Legume Mixtures: A Strategy for Sustainable and Efficient Ruminant Feeding

This research was conducted to assess the in-vitro rumen fermentability of sorghum combined with different legumes as energy and protein sources.Treatments consisted of eight combinations of sorghum and local legumes with two proportion levels (20 and 40%), analyzed for VFA, NH3, pH, nutrient digestibility, protozoa population, gas production, and microbial protein synthesis.Results showed that 60% sorghum and 40% Indigofera zollingeriana (P5) gave the best dry and organic matter digestibility, fiber fraction, and VFA and NH3 production results.The combination of 60% sorghum and 40% Calliandra calothyrsus (P8) produced the highest microbial protein synthesis.However, no significant variations (P>0.05) were observed in protozoa population, total gas, and methane gas production across the treatments.This study concludes that certain sorghum-leguminous combinations can increase nutrient efficiency without increasing rumen gas emissions, making it a local feed alternative that has the potential to support an economical and sustainable ruminant farming system.