Species information
Ruminants
Alysicarpus rugosus is very palatable and is recognized as a potentially good source of fodder. It has a good protein content (Kallah et al., 2000). It is introduced into sown pastures during the dry season, in order to produce fresh fodder two months later for cattle.
In India, Alysicarpus rugosus hay replaced green alfalfa and provided 50% of the protein requirements of crossbred dairy weaner cattle without reducting live-weight gains (Patel et al., 1991). Live-weight gains were maximised at 40% replacement of crude protein requirements (Cook et al., 2005).