Biomass Yield, Chemical Composition and In Vitro Gas Production of Different Dhaincha (Sesbania spp.) Accessions from Bangladesh

A field experiment was conducted following complete randomized design in 3 × 2 m² plot at the spacing of 50 cm × 15 cm (row-row × plant-plant). The nutritional quality and in vitro gas production of 35 days old dhaincha (Sesbania spp.) samples were estimated. In both seedling and mature stages, significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in biomass yield and other morphological descriptors among dhaincha accessions. The highest ash content (9.82%) was found in Rangpur region and the lowest (6.74%) in Gaibandha region. Crude protein content varied from 16 to 24% and CF content from 14 to 16%. The maximum NFE value (>41%) was found in Khulna and Gaibandha regions. The total gas production (V₀₈ +V₂₄) was highest in plants from Khulna region and lowest in Gaibandha region. Organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy values were greater (P<0.05) in Sirajganj region and lower in Rangpur region. The nutritional quality of dhaincha accessions from Khulna region was better than that of other regions which could be used as very good source of fodder in animal diet.