Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Solaris: an innovative forage for dairy heifers

Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Solaris: an innovative forage for dairy heifers A. Fatica1, F. Di Lucia2, F. Fantuz3, H.F. De Feijter2, B.P. Brandt2 and E. Salimei1 1Università degli Studi del Molise, Dip. Agricoltura, Ambiente, Alimenti, via de Sanctis, 86100, Campobasso, Italy, 2Sunchem BV, Johann Siegerstraat 20, 1096 BH Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 3Università degli Studi di Camerino, Scuola di Bioscienze e Medicina Veterinaria, Via Gentile III Da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy; a.fatica@studenti.unimol.it The chemical composition of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Solaris has been studied and its biomass has been successfully conserved by ensiling (SiloSolaris). The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of the innovative ensiled forage in heifers’ diet. Sixteen growing heifers of Friesian breed, weighing 220-360 kg and aged 8-16 months, were selected and divided in two homogeneous groups, Control (CTR) and SiloSolaris (SS) Group. Balanced and nutritionally equivalent rations were developed based on the nutritional needs, age and weight: CTR Group received 2.3 kg of concentrates mixture/head and 5-6 kg of hay/head daily, while SS Group was daily fed with 2.3 kg of concentrates mixture/head, 3.25-5.5 kg of hay/head and 0.5 kg (in the adaptation phase, 20 d) to 5 kg of SiloSolaris/ head. The trial lasted 49 days. Body condition (BCS), faecal consistency (FS) and locomotion (LS) were scored on each animal, according to the literature. In addition, the investigated consumption of feedstuffs (offered-refusals), body weight (WG) and average daily gain (ADG) were monitored. The effect of the dietary treatment on dry matter (DM) consumption, WG, ADG, BCS, FS and LS were processed by analysis of the variance, also considering the covariate effect of values at d 0, when significant. Significance was declared at P<0.05. In average, DM intake was 5.8 and 6.5 kg, respectively for SS and CTR heifers. ADG was 0.96 vs 0.88 kg/d for SS and CTR group (P>0.05). Taken together, the results suggest that N. tabacum L. cv. Solaris ensiled biomass is appreciated by Frisian heifers and did not negatively affect both growth performances and animal welfare. In a view of circular and green economy, this study represents a further successful proof of this innovative multitasking (energy and animal feeding) crop, able of recovering the ‘know-how’ of the traditional tobacco cultivation in Centre-South Italy.