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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #382310
Research Project: Conservation, Characterization, Evaluation, and Distribution of Grain, Oilseed, Vegetable, Subtropical and Tropical Legume, and Warm Season Grass Genetic Resources and Associated Information

Location: Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit

Title: Ticktrefoil (Desmodium) species as a nutraceutical forage resource for animals

Author
item TERRILL, THOMAS - Fort Valley State University
item COURSON, ERICA - Fort Valley State University
item Morris, John - Brad
item MORNING, BEYANNA - Fort Valley State University
item OWEN, VICKI - Fort Valley State University
item MUIR, JAMES - Texas A&M University
item CHERRY, NICHOLE - Texas A&M University
item Tonnis, Brandon
item PECH-CERVANTES, ANDRES - Fort Valley State University

Submitted to: Grassland Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/2023
Publication Date: 6/20/2023
Citation: Terrill, T., Courson, E.M., Morris, J.B., Morning, B.J., Owen, V.C., Muir, J.P., Cherry, N.M., Tonnis, B.D., Pech-Cervantes, A.A. 2023. Ticktrefoil (Desmodium) species as a nutraceutical forage resource for animals. Grassland Science. p. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/grs.12411.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/grs.12411

Interpretive Summary: Since there is not much information about Desmodium species for helping animal nutrition and health, several Desmodium species were evaluated for these traits. Several Desmodium species showed high and variable amounts of protein, digestibility, tannin, and flavonoids. Therefore, these results provide evidence that these Desmodium species could provide healthy and nutritional chemicals for livestock animals such as goats.

Technical Abstract: Desmodium species from the USDA, ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit (PGRCU) germplasm collection were evaluated for their livestock nutraceutical value in greenhouse and field small plot studies at the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley, GA. Accessions of Desmodium incanum (36) and D. tortuosum (44) were grown in pots inside the greenhouse, and D. discolor, D. intortum, D. paniculatum, D. sandwicense, and D. tortuosum were established in field plots, with plant material from each study harvested, freeze-dried, ground, and analyzed for nutritive value and bioactivity. In Experiment 1, in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) was higher (P < 0.05) for D. tortuosum than D. incanum, and condensed tannin (CT) concentrations were higher (P < 0.001) for D. incanum than D. tortuosum. In Experiment 2, crude protein (CP) levels in D. discolor and D. tortuosum averaged 23%, while CP in D. intortum, D. paniculatum, and D. sandwicense, ranged from 13 to 15%. All Desmodium species tested in the field study had IVTD values of 80 to 87%. There were species differences in flavonoid content (P< 0.001), with the highest delphinidin and cyanidin concentrations in D. paniculatum and lowest levels in D. sandwicense and D. intortum, respectively. There were no detectable levels of delphinidin or cyanidin for D. discolor or D. tortuosum. The highest PPP and TP concentrations were for D. paniculatum. Desmodium species have potential as nutraceutical forage for livestock and warrant further investigation.