JOURNAL OF THE DRYLANDS 4(2): 333-340, 2011
Effect of Selected Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Varietal Difference on Straw DM Yield,
Chemical Composition and Nutritional Quality
Yetimwork Gebremeskel1, Awet Estifanos2* and Solomon Melaku3
Yetimwork Gebremeskel, Awet Estifanos and Solomon Melaku. 2011. Effect of Selected Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)
Varietal Difference on Straw DM Yield, Chemical Composition and Nutritional Quality. Journal of the Drylands 4(2):
333-340.
The study was conducted at Haramaya University Campus and Hirna Experimental Stations, Ethiopia, during the 2004
cropping season with the objective of determining leaf to stem ratio (L:S), straw dry matter yield (SDMY), harvest
index (HI), potential utility index (PUI), chemical composition, in vitro dry Matter Yield (IVDMY) and in sacco dry
matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability. The experiment was conducted
using five selected varieties of faba bean in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications. The
overall result showed that varietal differences in grain yield, SDMY and straw quality and this indicated that the
possibility of selecting for faba bean varieties that combine high grain yield and desirable straw characteristic. Based
on the present findings it can be concluded that Tesfa, Mesay and local bean were identified to have high grain yield
and better nutritive value than the others.
Key words: Variety, Straw Dry matter Yield, chemical composition and nutritional quality
1 Debrebirhan University, P.O. Box 445, Debrebirhan, Amhara, Ethiopia, yetger@yahoo.com
2
Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, P.O.Box 492, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, email- aweyetir@yahoo.com
3
Late, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
*Author of correspondence: Awet Estifanos, tel-+251344419607, Fax-+251344408028, P.O.Box-492, emailaweyetir@yahoo.com
Received: August 10, 2011, Accepted, November, 2011
INTRODUCTION
In Ethiopia the majority of cattle population (70%)
is reared in the highlands settled crop farming area,
where animal feed production is a serious problem
(Alemayehu, 2004). It is obvious that the expansion
in the cultivation of food crops increase the supply
for crop residues for animal feeding and different
crop residues contribute 50% of the total animal
feed requirement in the crop-livestock farming area
(Jutzi et al 1987). Many Ethiopian farmers
conserve crop residues for use during the critical
period of the dry season. Among the pulses, faba
bean (Vicia faba L.) covers about 280,190 to
380,570 hectares of land, which accounts for about
40-48% of the total area cultivated by pulses.
Ethiopia is the second largest producer of faba
bean in the world next to China (Asfaw et al1993).
Currently, according to the National Agricultural
Input Authority (2003) a total area of 369,000 ha is
covered by faba bean from which 447 thousand
tons of grain are produced. Although, faba bean is
grown primarily for human food, it can also be
made into silage, as animal feed. In addition to
being used as animal feed, the straw is used for
brick making and as a fuel in some parts of Sudan
and Ethiopian (Bond et al 1985). According to
Kossila (1984), a straw of faba bean is rich in
protein, calcium and magnesium than cereal straws,
and if properly harvested, it is useful roughage
feeds for ruminant animals. Generally, pulse straws
contain 10-15% crude protein (CP) in DM and their
Copyright © Journal of the Drylands 2011
ISSN 1817-3322
energy content is higher compared to the respective
cereals by-products and sugar cane, with
satisfactory palatability (Kossila 1984).
This experiment was thus conducted to
evaluate the varietal differences in dry matter yield,
chemical composition, in vitro dry matter
digestibility and in sacco degradability of selected
varieties of faba bean straw.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Study Area
The study was conducted at Hirna and Haramaya
University campus Experiment Station on
Vertisols. Hirna is located at 41o4’ E longitude and
9o12’ N latitude, and at an altitude of 1870 m.a.s.l.
It has an annual rainfall of 990-1010 mm, with a
mean temperature of 24oC. Haramaya University is
located at 42o3’ E longitude and 9o26’ N latitude
and at an altitude of 1980 m.a.s.l. The mean annual
rainfall at Haramaya is 780 mm and the mean
annual temperature is 23.40C (AUA, 1998).
Experimental Design and Treatments
The experimental treatments consisted of five
varieties of faba bean that were selected on the
bases of their adaptability to the agro-ecological
zones of the two sites from earlier screening trial.
The varieties used in the study were Tesfa, Bulga70, CS-20-DK, Mesay, and local bean.
The land was prepared at the two sites
according to the acceptable cultural practices for
333
faba bean. Ploughing was done during the short
rainy season in March, followed by once harrowing
using disc harrow in early June and a slight hoeing
was made to loosen the soil. The land was then
classified into plots as per the design of the
experiment. Each variety of faba bean was sown on
4 m by 3.2 m plot area with 0.8 m between plots.
The spacing between rows and plants within row
were 0.4 m by 0.1m, respectively.
Data Collection
Close observation was made after sowing to assess
the rate of germination and early establishment
performance of the varieties. In order to support the
visual assessment of the establishment performance
of the varieties, seedling counts were made on the
whole plot on the 23rd day of sowing. The
experimental plots were weeded three weeks after
sowing and thereafter as required based on the
occurrence of weeds.
Leaf : stem ratio was calculated by taking ten
randomly selected plants from each plot and
separating them into leaf and stem fraction
manually, and weighing each fraction separately in
order to take their relative proportion on DM basis.
Straw Dry Matter Yield, Grain Yield, Potential
Utility Index and Harvest Index
At maturity on average of three months, all
varieties were harvested to asses straw DM yield.
The straw dry matter yield (SDMY) was calculated
according to the formula developed by Tarawali et
al (1995).
Where:
TFW= Total fresh weight,
DM%=Dry matter percentage of the straws.
Grain yield was calculated as the total weight of
seeds harvested per plot. Potential utility index
(PUI) was calculated as the ratio of grain yield plus
digestible DM yield of crop residue to total above
ground biomass DM yield (Fleischer et al 1989).
The in vitro dry matter digestibilityI (IVDMD) was
used for calculation of the digestible crop residue
DM yield
Harvest index (HI) was calculated as the
percent proportion of grain yield to total above
ground DM yield (Fleischer et al 1989).
In vitro Dry Matter Digestibility Procedure
In vitro dry matter digestibility of the straw sample
of each variety was determined by Tilley and Terry
method as modified by Van Soest and Robertson
(1985).
In sacco Degradability Procedure
The dried faba bean straw samples were ground to
pass through a 2 mm screen to determine DM, OM
and NDF degradability. Rumen degradability of the
samples were determined by incubating 2.5 g of
sample of faba bean straw in a nylon bag (41 μm
pore size and 6.5 x 14 cm dimension) in three
rumen fistulated Boran x Holestein Fresian steers
kept at the International Livestock Research
Institute (ILRI), Debre Zeit Research Station. The
straw samples were incubated for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24,
48, 72, 96 and 120 hours.
The DM, OM and NDF degradability data
were fitted to the experimental equation described
by McDonald (1981);
Where:
Y= DM degradability at time (t);
a= rapidly degradable fraction;
b= potentially degradable fraction, but slowly
degradable fraction;
c= rate of degradation of b;
tl= lag time
Chemical Analysis
The dried samples of each variety of faba bean
straws were ground to pass through a 1 mm screen
to determine their chemical composition. Dry
matter percentages of the different samples were
determined by oven drying the samples at 105 0C
for 24 hours. Total ash and CP content were
determined according to the procedure of AOAC
(1990). Neutral detergent fibers (NDF), acid
detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL)
were analyzed using the detergent extraction
method (Van Soest et al., 1991). Hemicellulose
was calculated by subtracting ADF from NDF and
cellulose fraction was calculated as the difference
between ADF and ADL.
Statistical Analysis
Data on agronomic parameters and straw dry
matter yield were subjected to analysis of variance
(ANOVA) using the statistical software MSTAT-C
(1989). Chemical composition, IVDMD, in sacco
DM degradability (DMD), OM degradability
(OMD) and NDF degradability (NDFD) data were
analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM)
procedure of the statistical analysis system (SAS
1998). Treatment means were separated by least
significance difference (LSD).
334
The model used for analysis of the nylon bag
data was;
Where,
Yijk = response variable;
μ = overall mean
ai = animal effect
pj = incubation time
rk = sample effect
eijk= random error
For chemical composition, agronomic parameters
and IVDMD the model used was;
Where,
Yij = response variable
μ = overall mean
Ti = treatment effect
βj = Block effect
eij = the random error
RESULTS
Leaf to Stem Ratio, Grain Yield, Harvest Index
and Potential Utility Index
Leaf to stem ratio (LSR) had no significant
difference (P>0.05) among the faba bean variances
both at Haramaya and Hirna sites (table 1).
There were significant yield difference (P<0.05)
among the faba bean varieties both at Haramaya
and Hirna. Mesay and local bean varieties
produced significantly higher (P<0.05) grain yield
than Bulga-70 ad CS-20-DK at Haramaya where as
Tesfa and Mesay yielded significantly more
(P<0.05) grain than CS-20-DK and local bean at
Hirna.
Harvest index was significantly higher
(P<0.05) for Mesay compared to the other faba
bean varieties at Haramaya whereas, there was no
significant difference among the varieties at Hirna.
There was significant difference (P<0.001) in PUI
among the faba bean both at Haramaya and Hirna.
The value of PUI ranged from 60.7 to 79.5 and
41.3 to 50.6 at Haramaya and Hirna, respectively
Straw Dry Matter Yield, Straw to Grain Ratio
and In vitro Dry Matter Digestibility
The faba bean varieties were significantly different
(P<0.001) in SDMY at Haramaya only. Local bean
produced significantly higher (P<0.05) SDMY than
the rest varieties. However, the varieties were
significantly different in the value of straw to grain
ratio both at Haramaya and hirna with the mean
value of 1.56 and 3.22.
The faba bean varieties were significantly
different (P<0.05) in IVDMD value at Hirna where
as there was no significant difference at Haramaya.
At Hirna the variety Bulga-70 was relatively higher
in IVDMD value than the rest varieties.
Chemical Composition
Both at Haramaya and Hirna there was no
significant difference (P>0.05) among the faba
bean varieties for dry matter, ash, organic matter
and crude protein contents. The CP result in this
study was greater than the value of 7.2%, which is
reported by Luleseged and Jemal (1989).
Table 1. Mean leaf to stem ratio, grain yield, harvest index and potential utility index of faba bean
varieties at Haramaya and Hirna.
Leaf to stem ratio
Grain yield (t/ha)
Harvest index (%)
PUI
Varieties
HAU
HI
HAU
HI
HAU
HI
HAU
HI
Tesfa
0.66
0.28
3.63ab
2.54a
42.4b
27.4
71.6b
43.5b
bc
ab
b
a
Bulga-70
0.82
0.30
3.25
2.46
39.9
26.8
79.5
44.3b
c
c
b
c
CS-20-DK
0.68
0.39
3.10
1.97
39.2
26.9
60.7
50.6a
a
a
a
b
Mesay
0.55
0.30
3.98
2.62
49.6
27.56
71.4
44.9b
a
bc
b
c
Local bean
0.66
0.27
3.91
2.08
41.9
23.9
62.2
41.3b
Significant level
ns
ns
*
*
*
ns
***
***
Overall mean ± SEM
0674
0.308
± 3.574 ± 2.334 ± 42.6
26.51±
69.08
44.92
± 0.06 0.02
0.06
0.10
± 0.99 0.85
± 1.09
± 0.83
C.V (%)
19.97 11.84
0.02
9.61
4.65
7.20
2.73
3.24
a, b, c
Means with different superscript in the same column are significantly different; SEM= standard error
of mean; CV= coefficient of variation; *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ns= non significant; HAU= Haramaya
University; HI= Hirna.
Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber
and Acid Detergent Lignin
There were significant differences among the faba
bean varieties for the plant cell wall content (Table
4). The NDF content ranged between 33.1% (CS20-DK) to 40.9% (Tesfa) at Haramaya and 39.6%
(Tesfa) to 51.5% (Mesay) at Hirna. The ADF value
was ranged 30.4% (local bean) to 36.6% (Tesfa)
and 34.9% (Tesfa) to 42.4% (Mesay) with lignin
content of 5.8% (CS-20-DK) to 6.5% (Tesfa) and
8.3% (CS-20-DK) to 6.5% (local bean) at
Haramaya and Hirna, respectively.
335
bean varieties for dry matter degradability both at
Haramaya and Hirna (Table 5), organic matter
(Table 6) and Neutral detergent fiber degradability
(Table 7) at Haramaya.
In sacco Dry matter, Organic matter and
Neutral detergent fiber Degradability
Except for the rate of degradability there was
significant difference (P<0.001) among the faba
Table 4. Neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose
contents of faba bean varieties at Haramaya and Hirna sites
Varieties
Tesfa
Bulga-70
CS-20-DK
Mesay
Local bean
Significance
Overall mean ±
SEM
CV
a, b, c, d
NDF (%)
HU
40.9a
34.4c
33.1d
35.7b
33.7cd
***
35.56
±0.28
1.78
HI
39.6c
47.1b
47.1b
51.5a
46.2b
***
46.30
±0.30
1.45
ADF(%)
HU
36.6a
30.6b
31.6b
31.9b
30.4b
***
32.22
±0.45
3.12
HI
34.9c
39.8ab
38.8abc
42.4a
37.6bc
*
38.7
±1.04
6.01
ADL(%)
HU
6.46a
5.46b
5.76ab
6.19ab
5.83ab
*
5.94
±0.20
7.02
HI
6.8ab
7.5ab
8.3a
7.9ab
6.5b
*
7.4
±0.39
11.80
Cellulose(%)
HU
HI
30.1a
28.1d
cd
25.2
32.7b
25.8bc
29.4cd
b
25.9
35.5a
d
24.6
30.7c
***
***
26.32
31.28
±0.17
±0.44
1.46
3.12
Hemicellulose(%)
HU
HI
4.39a
4.7c
cd
3.76
6.7b
1.56bc
9.0a
b
3.68
8.2ab
c
3.23
8.4a
***
***
3.32
7.4
±0.05
±0.28
3.28
8.41
Means followed by different superscripts in column are significantly different; SEM= standard
error of mean; CV= coefficient of variation; NDF= neutral detergent fiber; ADF= acid detergent fiber;
ADL=acid detergent lignin; *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001;HU = Haramaya University; HI= Hirna.
Table 5. In sacco dry matter degradability parameters of faba bean varieties at Haramaya and Hirna
sites
Varieties
Tesfa
Bulga-70
CS-20-DK
Mesay
Local bean
Sig. level
Overall
mean± SEM
CV (%)
a (% DM)
HU
HI
48.5b
48.5a
49.6b
44.6b
57.3a
41.2c
55.7a
34.8d
57.8a
48.0a
***
***
53.78
43.42
±0.80
±0.36
2.57
1.45
B (% DM)
HU
HI
27.3b
24.7e
31.0a
31.0c
23.2c
36.0b
26.0bc
41.0a
23.3c
26.7d
***
***
26.16
31.88
±0.67
±0.24
4.46
1.28
c (% DM)
HU
0.076
0.094
0.090
0.074
0.10
ns
0.0868
±0.004
10.43
HI
0.103
0.130
0.075
0.085
0.060
ns
0.0906
±0.003
7.76
TL (hr)
HU
5.62ab
4.00b
7.26a
5.41ab
6.85a
***
5.828
±0.46
13.72
HI
7.20b
3.48c
2.97cd
2.04d
8.24a
***
4.786
±0.2
7.16
PD (hr)
HU
75.8c
80.6b
80.5b
81.7a
81.2ab
***
79.96±
0.13
0.29
HI
73.2d
75.6b
77.2a
75.8b
74.7c
***
75.3
±0.10
0.23
ED (% DM)
HU
HI
53.9c
57.3b
58.8ab
62.1a
63.5 ab
47.9cd
60.5 b
44.7d
65.6 a
51.3c
***
***
60.46
53
±1.03
±0.86
2.97
2.81
a, b, c d means followed by different superscripts in column are significantly different (P<0.001). HU =
Haremaya University; HI= Hia; a = rapidly degradable; b= insoluble, but potentially (slowly) degradable
component; c= the rate of degradation of ‘b’ component; TL = lag time; PD=potential degradability (a+b);
ED= effective degradability at outflow rate of 0.03h-; S.E.M= standard error of mean; C.V= coefficient of
variation; S.L= significance level; *** =P<0.001; ns= non significant.
Table 6. In sacco organic matter degradability parameters of faba bean varieties at Haramaya sites
Varieties
a (% DM)
b (% DM)
c (% DM)
TL (hr)
PD (hr)
ED (% DM)
Tesfa
49.6c
24.7b
0.070
5.20b
74.3c
53.7b
a
b
a
a
Bulga-70
63.5
27.7
0.080
8.11
88.2
67.9a
d
a
b
bc
CS-20-DK
41.1
37.6
0.167
3.65
78.7
60.4ab
a
b
a
bc
Mesay
60.1
22.0
0.097
8.13
77.7
67.4a
b
b
b
ab
Local bean
55.0
27.8
0.096
5.87
82.8
63.4ab
Sig. level
***
***
ns
**
***
*
Overall mean± SEM
53.86±0.82 27.96±1.24
0.1±0.004
6.2±0.36
80.34±0.99 62.56±2.41
CV (%)
3.44
9.94
10.74
13.11
2.74
8.61
a, b, c, d means followed by different superscripts in column are significantly different. a= rapidly
degradable; b= insoluble, but potentially (slowly) degradable component; c= the rate of degradation of ‘b’
component; TL = lag time; PD=potential degradability (a+b); ED= effective degradability at outflow rate of
0.03h-1; S.E.M= standard error of mean; C.V= coefficient of variation; S.L= significance level; ***
=P<0.001; **= P<0.01; *= P<0.05; ns= non-significant.
336
Table 7. In sacco neutral detergent fiber degradability parameters of faba bean varieties at Haramaya
Varieties
a (% DM)
B (% DM) c (% DM)
TL (hr)
PD (hr)
ED (% DM)
Tesfa
20.22a
35.42b
0.057
4.91b
55.64b
23.99b
a
a
b
a
Bulga-70
27.82
46.94
0.087
4.63
74.76
43.80a
b
a
b
b
CS-20-DK
7.90
47.61
0.190
4.42
52.44
39.30a
a
ab
b
b
Mesay
19.66
39.07
0.080
4.03
53.73
29.66b
a
b
a
b
Local bean
20.68
37.50
0.085
7.50
58.18
29.91b
Sig. level
***
***
ns
**
***
***
Overall mean± SEM
19.3±1.49
14.3±1.4
0.1±0.005
5.1±0.41
59±1.80
33.3±1.12
CV (%)
17.28
7.59
16.06
17.8
6.84
7.53
a, b, means followed by different superscripts in column are significantly different (P<0.001, 0.01) a=
rapidly degradable; b= insoluble, but potentially (slowly) degradable component; c= the rate of degradation
of ‘b’ component; TL = lag time; PD=potential degradability (a+b); ED= effective degradability at outflow
rate of 0.03h-1; S.E.M= standard error of mean; C.V= coefficient of variation; S.L= significance level; ***
=P<0.001; **= P<0.01; ns= non significant
DISCUSSIONS
Leaf to Stem Ratio, Grain Yield, Harvest Index
and Potential Utility Index
According to Mushtaque et al (2010) LSR
decreased as the plant advanced in maturity. This is
also in agreement with the present study; some of
the faba bean varieties (“Mesay” and local bean)
which take longer time to mature relatively had
lower LSR. Also the grain yield of these faba bean
varieties was similar to the figure previously
reported by (Lulseged and Jemal 1989).
In this study the high grain producing varieties
“Mesay” at Haramaya and “Mesay” and “Tesfa” at
Hirna had significantly higher in HI than most of
other varieties. On the other hand, the poor grain
producing varieties like “CS-20-DK” and local
bean at Hirna had significantly lower (P<0.05) HI
most of the varieties.
The PUI result of the current study indicated
that there are varieties, which combined high grain
yield, IVDMD, SDMY and PUI. This shows the
possibility of selecting for faba bean varieties for
straw yield and straw quality without marginalizing
grain yield. Measurement of PUI of a crop is a
good parameter in this respect as it integrates grain
yield and digestible dry matter yields from the
residues (Fleischer et al 1989). The PUI result of
the current study was lower than that of the PUI of
different varieties of tef straw (Seyoum et al 1996).
Straw Dry Matter Yield Straw to Grain Ratio
and In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility
The SDMY in the current study varies from 3.44
t/ha to 7.11 t/ha. The varieties gave higher SDMY
value than reported for different varieties of barley
in the highland of Ethiopia (Seyoum, 1995) and
stover yield of maize (Adugna et al 1999) and the
varieties were similar in SDMY with the different
oat varieties (Fekede, 2004). “Tegenech” was
higher in both grain and straw yield. This indicates
that the possibility of selecting varieties that
combine high grain yield with high straw yield.
Unlike the result of harvest index, poor grain
producing varieties (CS-20-DK) had significantly
higher (P<0.001) straw to grain ratio.
In this study the IVDMD value of the faba
bean ranges from 65% to 73.8%. The result of the
current study showed higher value of IVDMD than
that of native grass hay (Getachew, 2002), maize
stover (Leask and Daynard 1973), wheat straw
(Coxworth et al 1981), oats and vetch mixture
(Berhanu, 2004). Meissner et al (2000) reported
that in vitro digestibility values greater than 65%
indicate good nutritive value and those values
below this level result in reduced intake due to
lowered digestibility. The values obtained in the
present study were higher than this critical level.
Chemical Composition
The current study of CP is similar to the value
reported by Kossila (1984), which ranged between
10-15%. The CP content of faba bean in this study
was higher than that of maize stover (Adugna et al
1999), cereal straws (Seyoum and Zinash 1989).
The mean CP content was higher than the critical
value of 7% for normal rumen microbial action and
feed intake (Van Soest 1982). According to Nsahlai
et al (1996) roughage feeds with CP content of 9.92
to 15.2%, 6.6 to 9.1% and 3 to 6.5% were classified
as high, medium and low quality roughage feeds,
respectively. The faba bean varieties evaluated in
this study could be classified as high quality feed
with respect to their CP contents.
Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber
and Acid Detergent Lignin
The NDF content of faba bean in this study lies
within the range of 33.1% to 51.5%. This result
was lower than the critical level of 55-60% which
was reported to decrease voluntary feed intake and
feed conversion efficiency due to longer
rumination time (Shirley 1986). According to
Singh and Oosting (1992), these faba bean varieties
are average quality feed since their NDF lies
between 45-65%.
The ADF results of this study were lower than
the values reported for faba bean straws (Luelseged
337
and Jemal 1989), cereal and oil straws (Seyoum
and Zinash 1989), tef straw (Seyoum and Zinash
1996) and maize stover (Adugna et al 1999). The
lower value of ADF in this study could be
indicative of its better digestibility than other
straws.
Generally, the lignin contents of the faba bean
varieties in this study lie within the range of 5.0 to
6.5%. Lignin is a compound, which attributes and
resistance to plant tissue, thereby limiting the
ability of the rumen microorganisms to digest the
cell wall polysaccharides (Reed et al 1988). The
polysaccharides of the cell wall become more
digestible once the lignin has been removed (Jones
and Wilson, 1987). Therefore, those varieties,
which have higher lignin content could have low
digestibility than the lower lignin containing
varieties.
In Sacco Dry Matter, Organic Matter and
Neutral Detergent Fiber Degradability
In the current study the faba bean dry matter
degradability had higher value of a, c, TL, PD and
lower value of b than that reported by BrunoSoares et al (1999) for the same parameter of faba
bean DM degradation. Except for a faba bean
straws had higher value of b, c, PD and ED than tef
straw and maize stover which are reported by
Solomon (2001) and Adugna et al (1998),
respectively.
The current study of OM degradability
constants of faba bean were higher in a, c and ED
than that of tef straw reported by (Solomon, 2001).
Moreover, the NDF degradability result of the
current study was higher in a, b, c, and PD and ED
value than the respective result of faba bean straw
by Bruno-Soares et al (1999), tef straw (Solomon
2001).
CONCLUSION
The varieties Tesfa, Mesay, and local bean were
identified to have high grain yield and SDMY. The
varieties with relatively high PUI value were
Bulga-70, Mesay and local bean. In addition, the
result showed some significant varietal difference
in grain yield, straw dry matter yield, potential
utility index, harvest index, chemical composition
and degradability. Moreover, there are varieties
which had significantly higher value in both grain
yield and straw yield. This indicates the possibility
of selecting faba bean varieties that combine better
grain yield with desirable straw parameters. In the
current study the different varieties of faba bean
had higher CP, lower fiber contents and relatively
higher in sacco degradability than cereal straws and
maize stovers. However, Tesfa, Mesay and local
bean were identified to have high grain yield and
better nutritive value than Bulga-70 and CS-20DK.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, we are greatly indebted to
Haramaya University for sponsoring this research
project. We wish also to extend our sincere
appreciation to the Department of Plant Sciences,
Pulse Section staff members of Haramaya
University and Hirna sites, namely, Bultti Tesso,
Wetatu Welibo, Seyifu Lema, Woinshet Feleke,
and Meskerem Kassahun for their technical inputs
from the planting until harvesting. We would like
also to express our thanks to the Animal Nutrition
Laboratory staff of the International Livestock
Research Institute (ILRI), particularly
Dawit
Negasa, Alemeshet Zewdu, Degusew Negwo,
Hanna Kifilu and Mistir Bezabih for their
assistance.
REFERENCES
Adugna Tolera, Said AN and Sundstøl F (1998): The
effect of maturity on yield and quality of maize
grain and Stover. ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE.
AND TECHNOLOGY 75: 157-168.
Adugna Tolera, Berg T and Sundstøl F (1999): The
effect of variety on maize grain and crop residue
yield and nutritive value of the stover. ANIMAL
FEED SCIENCE. AND TECHNOLOGY 79: 165177.
AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists)
(1990): Official methods of analysis 5thed.
AOAC INC., Arlington, Virginia, USA. 1298p.
Asfaw Telaye, Geletu Bejiga and Alem Berhe
(1993): Role of cool season food legumes and
their production constraints in Ethiopian
agriculture. p. 5. In: COOL-SEASON FOOD
LEGUMES OF ETHIOPIA. Proceeding of the
First National Cool-season Food-legumes
Review Conference, 16-20 December 1993.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
AUA (Alemaya University of Agriculture) (1998):
Proceeding of the 15th Annual Research and
Extension Review Meeting, 2 April 1998.
Haramaya, Ethiopia.
Berhanu Alemu (2004): The effect of seed rates
and stage of harvesting on forage yield and
quality of oats (Avena sativa L.) Vetch (Vicia
villosa R.) Mixure. MSc Thesis, Haramaya
University, 84p.
Bond, DA, Lawes DA, Hawtin GC, Saxena MC, and
Stephens J S (1985): Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.).
pp. 199-265. In: R. J. Summerfield and E.H.
Roberts (eds), Grain legume crops.
Bruno-Soares AM, Abreu JMF, Guedes CVM,
Dias-da-Silva
AA
(1999):
Chemical
composition, dry matter and neutral detergent
fiber degradation kinetics in rumen of seven
legume straws. ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY 83: 75-80
Coxworth E, Kerning J, Knipfel J, Thorlacius O
and Crowle L (1981): Review: Crop residues
and forages in Western Canada; potential for
338
feed use either with or without chemical or
physical processing. AGRICULTURE AND
ENVIRONMENT 6: 245-256.
Fekede Feyissa (2004): Evaluation of potential forage
production qualities of selected oats (Avena
sativa L.) genotypes. MSc Thesis, Haramaya
University. 190p.
Fleischer JE, Barnes AR, Awubila B (1989): Grain
yield and nutritive value of crop residues from
three varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) crop. PP.
239-255. In: Said AN, Dzowela BH (eds).
Overcoming constraints to efficient utilization of
agricultural by-products as animal feed.
Proceeding of 4th Annual Workshop held at the
Institute of Animal Research. Mankon Station,
Bamenda, Cameroun, 20-27 October 1987, Africa
Research Network for Agriculture By products
(ARNAB). Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Getachew Eshete (2002): An assessment of feed
resources, their management and impact on
livestock productivity in the Ginchi watershed
area. MSc Thesis, Haramaya University. 172p.
Jones DI and Wilson AD (1987): Nutritive quality of
forage. PP. 65-89. In: J.B. Hacker and I.H.
Ternouth (eds). The Nutritive of Herbivores.
Academic Press, Australia.
Jutzi S, Haque I and Abate Tedla (1987): The
production of animal feed in the Ethiopian
highlands: potential and limitations. First
National Livestock Improvement Conference.
IAR, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. PP. 141-142.
Kossila V (1984): Location and potential feed use. P.
9. In: Sundstøl F, Owen E (eds). Straw and other
fibrous by-products as feed. Developments in
animal and veterinary sciences, 14. Elsevier
Science Publishers B.V. Amsterdam.
Leask WC, Daynard TB (1973): Dry matter yield, in
vitro digestibility, percent protein and moisture of
corn stover following grain maturity. CANADIAN
JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCE 53: 515-522.
Lulseged Geberhiwot and Jamal Mohamed (1989):
The potential of crop residues, particularly wheat
straw, as livestock feed in Ethiopia. P.144. In:
Said A N, Dzowela B H (eds). Overcoming
constraints to the efficient utilization of
agricultural by-products as animal feed. ILCA
(International Livestock Center for Africa), Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia
McDonald I. (1981): A revised model for the
estimation of protein degradability in the rumen.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE.
(Cambridge) 96: 251-252.
Meissner HH, Zacharias PJK and Reagain PJ (2000):
Forage quality (Feed value). pp. 66-88. In:
Tainton NM (eds). Pasture Management in South
Africa.
University
of
Natal
press,
Pietermaritzburg.
MSTAT-C (1989): A micro-computer statistical
program for experimental design, data
management and data analysis. Michigan State
University. Crop and Soil Sciences, Agricultural
Economics and Institute of
International
Agriculture, USA.
Mushtaque M, Ishaque M and Ahmad alias Haji
MAB (2010): Growth and herbage yield of
setaria sphacelata grass in response to varying
clipping stages. Journal of Animal & Plant
Sciences, 20(4): Pp 261-265.
NAIA (National Agricultural Input Authority) (2003):
A yearly Crop variety register, Issue No. 6.
September, 2003, Adiss Abeba, Ethiopia.
Nsahlai IV and Umunna NN (1996): Comparison
between reconstituted sheep faeces and rumen
fluid inocula and between in vitro and in sacco
digestibility methods as predictors of intake and
in vivo digestibility. Journal of agricultural
science 126 (2): 235-248
Reed JD, Kebede Y and Fussell LK (1988): Factors
affecting the nutritive value of sorghum and
millet crop residues. PP. 233-251. In: L.D. Reed,
B.S. Capper and P.J.H. Neate (eds.). Plant
breeding and the nutritive value of crop residues.
Proc. Workshop held at ILCA, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, 7-10 December 1987, ILCA, Addis
Ababa.
SAS (1998): SASS/ STAT version 7. Guide to
personal computers, statistical analysis system
institute Inc., NC.USA.
Seyoum Bediye and Zinash Sileshi (1989): The
composition of Ethiopian feeds. IAR. Research
reports. IAR (Institute of Agricultural Research),
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 34p.
Seyoum Bediye (1995): Evaluation of nutritive of
herbaceous legumes, browse species and oilseed
cakes using chemical analysis, in vitro
digestibility and nylon bag technique. MSc
Thesis, Haramaya University. PP. 209.
Seyoum Bediye, Zinash, Sileshi and Tesfaye
Mengiste (1996): Tef (Eragrostis tef) straw
quality as influenced by variety and locations. P.
150. In: Proceeding of the 4th Annual Conference
of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production.
April 18-19, 1996, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Shirley RZ (1986): Nitrogen and energy nutrition of
ruminants. Academic Press. Inc., Orlando,
Florida, USA.
Singh GP and Oosting SJ (1992): A model for
describing the energy value of straws. Indian
Dairyman XLIV: 322-327.
Solomon Melaku (2001): Evaluation of selected
multi-purpose trees as feed supplements in tef
(Erogrostis tef) straw based feeding of Menz
sheep. Ph.D Thesis, Humboldt University, Verlag
Dr. Koster, Berlin, Germany. PP. 194.
Tarawali SA, Tarawali G, Larbi A and Hanson J
(1995): Methods for the evaluation of legumes,
grasses and fodder trees for use as livestock feed.
ILRI manual. ILRI (International Livestock
Research Institute), Nairobi, Kenya, 51p.
339
Van Soest PJ (1982): Nutritional Ecology of the
Ruminant. O and B books, Corvallis, Oregon,
USA. 373p.
Van Soest PJ and Robertson JB (1985): Analysis of
forages and fibrous feeds. A laboratory manual
for animal science 613. Cornell University,
Ithaca, New York, USA.
Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB and Lewis BA (1991):
Methods of dietary fiber and non-starch
polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition.
J. Dairy Sci. 74:3583-3592.
340