abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate whole substitution of Egyptian berseem hay (Trifolium alexan-
drinum) with a mixture of Atriplex nummularia and Acacia saligna (1:1 DM) in the diet of Barki lambs for
70 days. Thirty six lambs (27.070.89 kg initial BW) were divided into four treatment groups of nine
lambs each and fed: (1) the Control group with no substitution (70% concentrate mixture and 30%
berseem hay, DM basis), (2) A. nummularia and A. saligna mixture without fungal treatment (treatment
group AU), or (3) Trichoderma reesei treated A. nummularia and A. saligna mixture (treatment group AF),
or (4) A. nummularia and A. saligna mixture supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 0.5 g/kg DM
of feed (treatment group AS) replaced 100% of berseem hay in the diet. Live-weight change, rumen
fermentation parameters, blood chemistry, carcass characteristics and intestinal histology were in-
vestigated. Significant (Po0.05) interactions occurred between diet and period for feed conversion ef-
ficiency and blood serum urea. Lambs in the AS treatment consumed less (Po0.05) feed than lambs in
the AF treatment, with no difference between the other treatments (P40.05). Lambs fed AF and AU diets
had lower (Po0.05) feed conversion efficiency than lambs fed the AS and Control diets. Lambs fed AF
and AS had increased (Po0.05) volatile fatty acid production compared to Controls. Blood albumin and
urea concentrations increased (Po0.05) with lambs in AS treatment compared to lambs in the other
treatments, while lambs fed AF had lower (Po0.05) cholesterol and glucose concentrations compared to
the Controls. The AS lambs had the highest (Po0.05) dressing percentage. Decreased intramuscular fat
weights were obtained with lambs fed halophytes compared to Control lambs. Histology of the ileum,
sub mucosa and Peyer's patches were normal in all lambs. In conclusion, untreated halophyte mixtures of
A. nummularia and A. saligna (at 1:1 DM) can be substituted for berseem hay without negative effects on
performance while treatment with S. cerevisiae may improve performance and, like T. reesei, change
certain biochemical responses.