Publication Date
1997
Description
Captive brant Branta bernicla were fed a range of food plants to determine their ability to digest nitrogen and specifically soluble protein. Soluble protein levels in droppings were only a small fraction of those in plants, indicating substantial uptake or conversion. For white clover Trifolium repens L., uric acid content indicated that at least 50% of excreted nitrogen had been metabolised, strongly suggesting that a substantial fraction of soluble protein is utilised by the geese. Carbon/nitrogen ratios increased from plants to droppings while carbon/hydrogen ratios remained nearly constant indicating greater uptake of nitrogen relative to carbon. T. repens was found to contain the highest soluble protein and total nitrogen contents of the four plant species tested.
Citation
Anderson, G Q.A; Andrews, M; Percival, S M.; and Kirby, J S., "Nitrogen Nutrition of Brant (Branta bernicla L.) Grazing on Saltmarsh and Pasture Species" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 2.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session26/2
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Nitrogen Nutrition of Brant (Branta bernicla L.) Grazing on Saltmarsh and Pasture Species
Captive brant Branta bernicla were fed a range of food plants to determine their ability to digest nitrogen and specifically soluble protein. Soluble protein levels in droppings were only a small fraction of those in plants, indicating substantial uptake or conversion. For white clover Trifolium repens L., uric acid content indicated that at least 50% of excreted nitrogen had been metabolised, strongly suggesting that a substantial fraction of soluble protein is utilised by the geese. Carbon/nitrogen ratios increased from plants to droppings while carbon/hydrogen ratios remained nearly constant indicating greater uptake of nitrogen relative to carbon. T. repens was found to contain the highest soluble protein and total nitrogen contents of the four plant species tested.
