By
Adebisi, IA; Okunlola,
OO; Aina, ABJ; Sowande, OS;
Aderinboye, RY (2022).
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Greener
Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2276-7770 Vol. 12(3),
pp. 269-281, 2022 Copyright
©2022, the copyright of this article is retained by the author(s) |
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Nutritional potential
of Cajanus cajan
foliage hay on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of West African
dwarf growing rams fed Panicum maximum
1Adebisi, I.A.; ¹Okunlola, O.O., 2Aina, A.B.J.;
2Sowande, O.S.; and 2Aderinboye, R.Y. 1
1Department of Animal Production
Technology, Faculty of Animal and Fisheries Technology, Oyo State College of
Agriculture and Technology, PMB 10, Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria.
2Department
of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,
Ogun State, Nigeria.
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ARTICLE INFO |
ABSTRACT |
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Article No.: 112322098 Type: Research |
Pigeon
pea (Cajanus cajan; CJ), a browse legume, generates a lot of foliage
which may be suitable for livestock feeding. The foliage could serve as a
cheap source of nutrients to alleviate dry season feed shortage affecting
ruminant production. A total of 30 growing WAD rams of 6 – 9 months old
weighing 10.75 – 11.68 kg were randomly grouped into six rams per treatment
in a completely randomized design for 90days feeding trial to assess the
growth performance and nutrient digestibility of rams fed varying proportions
of Cajanus cajan hay with Panicum maximum.
The study was
carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Oyo
State College of Agriculture and Technology Igbo-ora, Nigeria. The CJ foliage
cut at 8 weeks after planting and air-drying for 3 to 4 days were mixed in
varying proportions with fresh PM (Panicum
maximum) as the experimental diets (ED) and fed for each individual ram
per day at 3% body weight. The ED were: T1 (100%PM),
T2 (70PM30CJ), T3 (50PM50CJ), T4 (30PM70CJ)
and T5 (100%CJ). There were significant (P<0.05) differences in
all parameters determined on growth performance across the dietary
treatments. Ram maintained on T3 diet had the highest Dry matter
intake (51.18g/d), while the lowest value (45.54g/d) for DMI was recorded on
ram fed diet T5. The results revealed that ram fed diet T₁
recorded the least daily weight gain (8.00g/d) while the highest daily weight
gain (18.22g/d) was recorded in ram fed diet T4 that contained
30%PM70%CJ. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) ranged 4.65 – 10.83 showed
significant difference across all treatments.
Hence, ram fed diet T4 that contained 30%PM70%CJ hay
recorded the best feed utilization value of 4.65. There were significant
(P<0.05) differences in all parameters determined on nutrient
digestibility across the dietary treatments. Rams maintained on T3
(50%PM50%CJ had the highest dry matter digestibility (88.24%), while the
lowest value (86.87%) for DMD was recorded in T2 diet. Rams fed T5
diet had the highest crude protein digestibility (CPD) value of 81.72%,
followed by T4 (78.54%), while T1 diet had the lowest CPD of 63.32%. Rams fed
T5 diet had the highest crude fibre digestibility (CFD) value of
71.97%, while 67.32, 65.89%, 68.10% and 67.82% were recorded for T1,
T2, T3 and T4 diet respectively. T5
was observed to have the highest ash digestibility value of 29.10% with T1,
T2, T3 and T4 having the value of 25.21%,
23.08%, 24.69% and 28.14% respectively. It can be concluded that feeding of
fresh Panicum maximum (PM) forages
at 30% inclusion with Cajanus cajan
hay (CJ) at 70% for growing rams diet has a good nutrient profile and
enhanced growth performance of the rams in terms of weight gain and feed
utilization and improved nutrient utilization in terms of crude protein
digestibility without any deleterious effects on the animals. |
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Received:
23/11/2022 Accepted: 27/11/2022 Published: 11/12/2022 |
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*Corresponding
Author Okunlola, OO E-mail: ademolaibrahim01@ yahoo.com Phone:
+234-806-073-9507 |
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Keywords: Tropical grass, Cajanus
cajan hay, WAD rams, Growth performance, Digestibility. |
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INTRODUCTION
Small
ruminant production is a major component of the livestock sector in Nigeria. At
smallholder level, sheep are the major source of food security serving a
diverse function including cash income, savings, cash for fertilizer purchase
and sociocultural functions (Solomon et
al., 2013). However, the productivity of sheep per head is low mainly
because of inadequate year round nutrition, both in terms of quantity and
quality, unimproved genetic potential and due to prevalence of diseases and
parasites (Markos et al., 2006).
Nowadays most of natural pasturelands are put under intensified crop production
due to the increasing human population pressure. Aftermath grazing and crop
residue accounts for 60 to 70% of available basal diet in the tropical region.
Such feeds are inherently low in nutritive value such as protein, digestible
energy and minerals, which may result in sub-optimal rumen fermentation and
lowered animal performance (Malede and Tekele, 2014). The other option of
increasing livestock production can be achieved through cultivation of high
quality forages with high yielding ability that are adapted to different
environmental stresses (Muia et al.,
2001; Tessema et al., 2010). Improved
forages could be fed to the animals by direct grazing, cut and carry, or stored
and conserved as hay or silage. The potentials of browse fodders in overcoming
this problem have been recognized (Okoli et
al., 2002; Olafadehan et al.,
2015; Olafadehan and Okunade, 2018). Tropical trees, shrubs and browse legume
plants are an important component of the fodder resources for livestock and
wildlife. Several indigenous and exotic browse species have been investigated
and evaluated for inclusion in ruminant feeding systems in Nigeria (Fajemisin,
2015). The ability of their foliages to remain green and maintain their crude
protein (CP) content makes them potential sources of protein and energy
(Olafadehan, 2013). The fodder value of their leaves and fruits are often
superior to herbaceous plants, particularly in the case of legumes (Fadiyimu et al., 2011). Forage legumes generally
contain high protein, minerals and vitamins (Idowu et al., 2013); hence, they are often used as protein source to
correct the protein deficiency of natural pastures (Tufarelli et al., 2010). Incorporating fodder
legumes into ruminant diet as supplementary feed has been noted to improve feed
efficiency and feed intake (Mendieta-Araica et
al., 2009; Pen et al., 2013).
Leguminous trees, shrubs and herbs can be easily grown by smallholder farmers,
and their inclusion in animal’s diet can reduce overall feeding cost (Ososanya et al., 2013). The potential of legumes
for grazing is limited due to their susceptibility to trampling and the
preferential grazing by livestock that adds pressure to legumes (Phelan et al., 2015). Additionally, fresh
feeding of legumes is limited due to the seasonality of rain which reduces the
independence from protein-rich feedstuffs during the dry season. By conserving
excess forage produced during the wet season to hay or silage, the low production
and productivity of livestock during the dry season due to scarcity of forage
can be ameliorated (Wong, 2000). This study was designed to assess the Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of West African Dwarf
growing rams fed different proportions of Cajanus
cajan foliage hay with Panicum maximum.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental
site and animals
The
experiment was carried out at the Sheep and Goat Unit, Teaching and Research
Farm, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora. Thirty (30)
growing West African dwarf rams weighing between 10.75 – 11.68kg and of 6 – 9
months of age were used. Purchased rams were transported to the site, the rams
were dewormed with anthelmintics (Albendazole®) to control
endoparasites; oxytetracycline and multivitamin preparations were administered
at rate of 1mL per 10kg body weight through intramuscular route for
prophylactic treatment. Homologous Pesti
des petit ruminant (PPR) vaccine was administered against PPR disease and
acclimatized for 28days before the commencement of the experimental dietary
treatment. Guinea grass and cassava peels were offered to the animals during
the adaptation period. Fresh and clean water was also made available throughout
the experiment.
Harvesting and processing
of experimental diets
The
forages were harvested from pasture demonstration plot of the college farm. Cajanus cajan
foliage and Panicum maximum were cut
at a height of 30cm above the ground level at 50% flowering stage to allow for
good re-growth. Cajanus cajan foliage
including twigs and petioles were harvested and air-dried for 3 to 4 days by
spreading on a clean concrete floor and turning thoroughly to facilitate
uniform drying for saving storage. Fresh Panicum
maximum was harvested daily (Zero grazing) and chopped manually into 3-5 cm
length before feeding.
Experimental layout,
design and feeding method
The animals were allocated by weight into
five treatments of six rams per treatment and each ram served as a replicate in
a completely randomized design (CRD). The CJ foliage cut at 8 weeks after
planting and air-drying for 3 to 4 days were mixed in varying proportions with
fresh PM (Panicum maximum) as the
experimental diets (ED) and fed for each individual ram per day at 3% body
weight. The ED were: T1 (100%PM), T2 (70PM30CJ),
T3 (50PM50CJ), T4 (30PM70CJ) and T5 (100%CJ).
Each group of animals was assigned to an experimental diet and fresh and clean
water was provided ad libitum.
Data Collection and
Analysis
Feed Intake and Live Weight Gain: Adjustment period
of one week was allowed before data collection commenced. At the beginning of
the experiment, the rams were weighed and subsequently on a weekly basis prior
to feeding in the morning. The initial live weight was subtracted from the
final live weight to determine the weight gained by the animals. Feed offered
and reminant (left over) were weighed daily to determine the feed intake of the
animals. Both values were used to determine Feed conversion ratio, Dry Matter
Intake (DMI), the mean initial body weight, weekly body weight, feed intake,
and feed conversion ratio were calculated.
Nutrient digestibility
Urine
and faeces were collected separately from each animal daily throughout the last
seven days of the experiment in metabolic cages. The faeces sample collected
were 0oven-dried at 80 C until a constant weight was reached. The urinary
outputs were collected in sample bottles with a plastic cover containing 20 %
dilute tetraoxosulphate (IV) acid, and stored at 020 C for analysis. The faecal
samples were chemically analyzed using A.O.A.C procedure (AOAC, 1995). Data
obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (SAS 2002) mean value
variance showing significant (P<0.05) difference were separated using
Duncan’s multiple range test (Duncan 1955).
Statistical Analysis
Data
were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) procedure of SAS version
9.4 (SAS, 2002). Differences among treatment means were tested using Duncan
Multiple Range Test (DMRT).
RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION
Table 1: Composition
of the experimental diet (%)
|
Forage |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
|
Fresh P.
maximum |
100.00 |
70.00 |
50.00 |
30.00 |
0.00 |
|
C. cajan Hay |
0.00 |
30.00 |
50.00 |
70.00 |
100.00 |
|
Total |
100.00 |
100.00 |
100.00 |
100.00 |
100.00 |
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Calculated
Analysis |
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ME (MJ/KgDM) |
11.97 |
11.77 |
11.57 |
11.37 |
11.17 |
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Determined
Analysis |
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DM |
89.67 |
88.56 |
88.14 |
87.50 |
86.60 |
|
OM |
77.81 |
74.83 |
76.9 |
80.31 |
78.35 |
|
CP |
7.30 |
12.15 |
14.62 |
16.46 |
19.01 |
|
CF |
22.20 |
18.52 |
17.38 |
15.70 |
15.04 |
|
EE |
2.90 |
4.26 |
3.01 |
5.18 |
1.70 |
|
Ash |
3.30 |
6.20 |
5.31 |
4.62 |
3.90 |
|
NFE |
66.00 |
57.35 |
54.80 |
56.75 |
51.20 |
P. maximum=Panimum
maximum; C. cajan=Cajanus cajan; DM=Dry matter,
OM=Organic matter, CP=Crude protein, CF=Crude fibre, EE=Ether extract,
NFE=Nitrogen free extract
The
chemical composition of Cajanus cajan foliage and Panicum
maximum fed as experimental diet are shown in Table 2. The chemical
components of forage usually indicate the level at which consumption and
utilization would yield a positive or negative effect(s) on animal output. The value (96.00%) for the DM content of Cajanus cajan foliage is at variance
with that reported for indigenous multipurpose trees in Nigeria (Babayemi,
2006, Anele et al., 2009) which may
be attributable to the maturity of the leaves used in this study to feed the
growing rams. The crude protein value recorded by Panicum maximum was lower than that reported by Ukanwoko and Igwe
(2012) for Panicum maximum (8.45%);
this disparity might be attributed to the growth stage, maturity of the plants
as well as the soil types and constituents. The percentage crude protein (CP)
value (21.16%) for Cajanus cajan
foliage was above 8% required to satisfy the maintenance requirement for
ruminants (Norton, 2003) and also above the minimum level necessary to provide
sufficient nitrogen required by rumen micro-organisms to support optimum rumen
activity (Mc Donald et al., 2002) and
adequate intake of forages. Getachew et
al. (2004) also stated that browse forages are higher in CP than tropical
grasses and roughages such as hay, straw and stover. The observed value
(21.16%) for CP content of Pigeon pea foliage in the current experiment is
within the range (21 to 38%) reported by Cook et al., 2005; Belete et al. 2013 and Diriba et al., 2013. The CP content of Pigeon pea foliage in the
present study also favourably compared with the values 21.30 and 20.00%
reported by Shenkute et al. (2013)
and Cheva-Isarakul (1992), respectively.
According to Maasdorp et al.
(1999), plant species/variety, soil, climate, grazing, plant fraction and stage
of maturity at sampling affect the nutritive value of forages. The high CP
content of pigeon pea foliage in the present study, therefore, suggests that it
can serve as protein supplement in ruminant rations. The observed value (6.00%)
for ether extract content recorded for pigeon pea foliages and 2.90% ether
extract recorded for Panicum maximum were above the values of 1.40% reported by
FAO, (2003) and 1.26% (Adegun, 2014). Ether extract contents of Cajanus cajan
foliage observed in this current study were above the values of 3.07% reported
by Babayemi et al. (2006) and 4.10%
reported by Alalade et al. (2016) for
Psophocarpus tetragonolobus leaves.
However, ether extract contents of Cajanus
cajan foliage fell within the range of 4 - 10% EE
reported by Campbell et al., (2006).
The value of ether extract in the Cajanus
cajan foliage was an indicator of higher energy
level in the cultivar for the animal (Babayemi and Bamikole, 2006) which could
be utilized for body maintenance and production. The slightly changed in the
ash content value (9.25%) for Cajanus cajan foliage in this study is not comparable with the
report of Dele (2012) and Onyeonagu et al. (2012) that reported that with
advancement in age, total ash content decreases. This might be due to a major
component of the total ash content called silicic acid which reduces with
reduction in water uptake with maturity thereby reducing total ash content of
the plant (Quigley and Anderson, 2014). The observed Non-fibre carbohydrate
value (5.60%) for Cajanus cajan
foliage was lower than the values range of 17.01 - 33.53% reported by Fadiyimu
(2009). The assessed quality value (58.00%) of the Neutral detergent fibre
(NDF) for Cajanus cajan foliage and
70.12% recorded for Panicum maximum
in this study were comparable to the values reported by Gomez, (2011) and
Minson (1990) for tropical forage. The increase in NDF with age of regrowth is
related to physiological changes that occur as plant ages, that lead to a
decrease in cell cytoplasm highly soluble components (cell contents),
accompanied by an increase in cell wall fibre components (Nogueira et al., 2000). The decrease in
digestibility with age of forage is the consequence of the increase in its
gut-fill. As the plant ages, its morphological and histological development
decrease the amount of cell content, which is solube, rapidly
degraded and almost no gut-fill, and increases the amount of cell walls.
Consequently, forage retention time in the rumen increases. In addition, tissue
lignification increases the undegradable fraction of the cell walls and
decreases the degradation rate of the degradable fraction (Grenet and
Demarquilly, 1987). The CP and NDF concentrations of diets are the most
important factors affecting DMI. However, forage with high ADF value is
classified as low quality roughage (Rusdy, 2016). According to Kellems and
Church (1998), roughage with less than 40% ADF are categorized as high quality
and those with greater than 40% as poor quality. Based on this assertion, the
cultivar of Cajanus cajan
foliage used in this study can be classified as high quality browse legume
forage because their ADF values were below 40%.
Table 2: Proximate Composition
and Fibre fractions of Cajanus cajan foliage and Panicum
maximum (%) harvested at 8weeks of age fed as experimental diet
|
Parameters |
Cajanus cajan foliage |
Panicum maximum |
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
Dry
matter |
96.00 |
|
|
89.67 |
|
Crude
protein |
21.16 |
|
|
7.30 |
|
Ether
extract |
6.00 |
|
|
2.90 |
|
Ash |
9.25 |
|
|
3.30 |
|
Non-
fibre carbohydrate |
5.60 |
|
|
22.20 |
|
Acid
Detergent fibre |
35.00 |
|
|
47.30 |
|
Neutral
Detergent Fibre |
58.00 |
|
|
70.12 |
|
Acid
Detergent Lignin |
11.50 |
|
|
23.57 |
|
Cellulose |
23.50 |
|
|
23.73 |
|
Hemicellulose |
23.00 |
|
|
22.82 |
Growth
performance of growing West African dwarf rams fed Panicum maximum with varying proportions of Cajanus cajan foliage hay are shown in
Table 3. The dietary treatment had
significant effect on the feed intake, dry matter intake and weight gain.
Highest dry matter intake (8.53g/day) was recorded in ram fed mixture of diet
50PM50CJ and the lowest value (7.59g/day) was recorded in rams fed sole 100CJ
diet. This agrees with the findings of Arigbede et al. (2005) who reported increasing dry matter intake with
increasing level of browse supplementation. The higher dry matter intake (DMI)
obtained in rams maintained on 50PM50CJ diet may be due to greater palatability
and higher protein content of the diet. Richter et al., (2003) opined that low quality livestock fodders or rations
can be improved by adding browse plant (Moringa) as supplement which increases
the dry matter intake (DMI) of the ration by livestock. It was also reported
that diet with higher protein content increases feed intake (Mhamed et al., 2001). Lower DMI in the diet
100CJ might be as a result of lower fiber content of the diet as agreed with
the reports of Okah et al., (2012)
and Ahamefule (2005) who reported a higher DMI for diets with high fibre
content than those with low fibre content. However, the nature of fibre and its
interaction with other nutrients like protein might also influence intake.
Similarly, the residual effect of CT (Condensed Tannins) of diet 100CJ may be
attributed to reduced DM intake by the rams. Tannins have been reported to
reduce feed palatability and consumption due to its astringent property
(Olafadehan et al., 2014). The DM
intake was lower than intake range of 433 - 443g/d reported for Savanna brown
goat fed graded levels of Gmelina arborea
leaf meal in complete diets (Abdu et al.,
2013). Lower intake in the current study could be due to sex effect, as
doelings were used compared to most studies that used buckling. Higher final
body weight value obtained in rams fed diet 30PM70CJ and 50PM50CJ compared with
other treatment diets could be an indication of a good nutritive value of the
test diets (Pigeon pea hay and Panicum maximum)
and their combination ratios that were optimally utilized by the rams. This
lends support from the report of Odunsi et
al., (2009) that the diet that is optimally utilized by animals has a
positive effect on the final body weight of the animals. However, the
numerically increased values (1.64kg) in average weight gain for rams with
corresponding increase in inclusion level of Pigeon pea hay with Panicum maximum in the diet 30PM70CJ
might be ascribed to the nutrient availability and utilization which eventually
translated to the improvement in growth rate of the rams. This fact supports
the findings of some researchers (Ogbuewu et
al., 2011; Adjorlolo et al.,
2016) who reported that when diets of ruminants consists of a mixed forages and
lesser neem seed cake regime, higher weight gain is obtained than when diets
consists of concentrate alone. Rams fed diet 100PM had a significantly
depressed daily weight gain (8.00g/d) which could be attributed to the low
crude protein intake of the rams fed only Panicum
maximum. There were significant differences in intake of Cajanus cajan
hay and Panicum maximum mixture diets
among the treatments. The highest feed intake was observed for rams offered
50PM50CJ diet followed by diet 100PM. Feeding of Cajanus cajan hay has resulted in increase
in weight gain of growing rams. The highest weight gain was observed for rams
that received diet 30PM70CJ. The result of the study conducted by incorporating
pigeon pea in mixture with cassava peel based diets showed a generally enhanced
intake in West Africa dwarf goats (Ahamefule et al., 2006). According to Bonsi et al. (1994), the positive effects of supplementation on feed
intake might have been a reflection of the increase in the intake of essential
nutrients such as energy, vitamins, minerals and in particular nitrogen (N).
Leguminous fodder trees, as supplements, alleviate N deficiency thereby
improving the rate of degradation of the basal diet and the fractional rate of
liquid matter from the rumen and hence feed intake. Moreover, leguminous fodder
trees increase protein supplies to the host animal by increasing the supply of
both degradable and un-degradable protein, and by creating a favorable rumen
environment resulting in enhanced fermentation of the basal roughage and thus
increased microbial protein synthesis (Osuji et al., 1995). The improvement in weight gain (growth) of rams
supplemented with pigeon pea hay is associated with higher N contents of pigeon
pea leaves. In other supplementation study using pigeon pea leaves in animal’s
diet, it was noted that it increases the intake of low quality herbage
resulting in high animal live weight (Karachi and Zengo, 1998). According to
Pamo et al. (2002), almost twice
weight gain was observed for kids supplemented during the dry season than the
un-supplemented due to the protein level in the multipurpose trees which was 84
to 140% higher than in the grasses. This clearly justifies the use of pigeon
pea forage as feed supplements in ruminant nutrition during periods of forage
scarcity. The production of adequate quantities of good quality dry season
forage to supplement crop residues and pasture roughages is the only way to
economically overcome the dry season feed shortage by small scale farmers in
developing countries. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of rams fed dietary
treatments showed significant difference. The low feed conversion ratio (4.65)
of rams maintained on diet 30PM70CJ could be ascribed to the quality of
nutrient which was capable of increasing feed efficiency and growth rate. Rams
fed diet 30PM70CJ had recorded lower FCR value followed by rams that assigned
to diet 50PM50CJ. Brown et al. (2001)
pointed out that animals that have a high feed
efficiency ratio (FER) and low FCR are considered as efficient users of feed.
From this point of view, rams fed with diet 30PM70CJ was the best feed
converters followed by those rams on diet 50PM50CJ. Similar findings of
improved FER in supplemented groups versus non-supplemented group were reported
in literature (Biru, 2008; Tewodros, 2011; Yeshambel et al., 2012; Getahun, 2014). Thus, rams on diet 30PM70CJ
efficiently utilized their feed better than those rams fed diets 100PM,
70PM30CJ, 50PM50CJ and 100CJ. This further attest the comparable growth
performance observed in rams on diet 30PM70CJ.
Table 3: Performance
of Growing West African Dwarf Rams fed Panicum
maximum with Cajanus cajan foliage hay
|
Parameters |
100PM |
|
70PM30CJ |
50PM50CJ |
30PM70CJ |
100CJ |
|||||
|
Average initial weight (kg) |
10.75±0.09c |
11.45±0.08b |
11.62±0.05a |
11.50±0.08b |
11.68±0.06a |
|
|
||||
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Average final weight(kg) |
11.47±0.62c |
12.38±0.58b |
13.09±0.39a |
13.14±0.68a |
12.55±0.19b |
|
|
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Average weight gain (kg) |
0.72±0.63b |
0.93±0.61b |
1.47±0.38a |
1.64±0.65a |
0.87±0.18b |
|
|
||||
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Daily weight gain(g/day) |
8.00±0.01b |
10.33±0.13ab |
16.33±0.12a |
18.22±0.21a |
9.67±0.03b |
|
|
||||
|
Dry matter intake (g/head/d) |
7.80±0.05a |
7.64±0.03b |
8.53±0.06a |
7.62±0.03b |
7.59±0.02b |
|
|
||||
|
Total DMI(g/day) |
46.80±1.36b |
45.84±1.40b |
51.18±1.48a |
45.72±1.39b |
45.54±1.47b |
|
|
||||
|
Feed Conversion Ratio |
10.83±1.12a |
8.22±0.67ab |
5.80±0.45c |
4.65±0.41c |
8.72±0.73ab |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
abcde Means on the same row with different superscript are
significantly different (P< 0.05).
The
nutrient digestibility summary of growing West African dwarf rams fed Panicum maximum with Cajanus cajan
foliage hay are shown in Table 4. The dry matter (DM) digestibility was
significantly highest in the rams fed diet 50PM50CJ compared to the other
experimental diets which suggests that combining browse plants with grass
species promotes dry matter digestibility. Tona et al., (2014) reported a similar range of 77.47 to 81.67% for
goats fed Panicum maximum with
concentrate diets containing graded levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal. Crude protein digestibility increased
linearly with increasing supplementation of Cajanus
cajan hay while the highest (81.72%) crude protein digestibility was
recorded in rams fed diet 100CJ (sole Cajanus
cajan hay) and lowest value (63.32%) was recorded in rams fed diet 100PM.
The digestibility of nutrients in the current experiment is consistent with the
reports of Ahmed and Abdalla (2005) and Maglad et al. (1984) in sheep fed different protein sources. Patra et al. (2006) fed concentrate containing
soybean and leaf mixtures and observed similar digestibility of DM, OM and CP
among treatments in does fed wheat straw. Moreover, Haddad (2005) fed different
ratio of forage to concentrate and observed an increase in DM, OM and CP, while
the digestibility of NDF and ADF decreased with increasing levels of
concentrate in the diet. Except CP digestibility, similar digestibility was
observed when Moringa oleifera leaf meal replaced soybean meal
in dairy cows fed a basal diet of hay (Mendieta- Araica et al., 2011). The study made by Richards et al. (1994) indicated that the digestibility of OM and fiber declined
with increasing levels of gliricidia in relation to concentrate in goats. Also,
Ndemanisho et al. (1998) reported
declined digestibility of DM, OM and CP with increasing levels of leucaena as a
substitute to cotton seed cake. The variation in digestibility value among
legume supplementation could be due to the presence of condensed tannin in
tropical tree legumes (Reed et al.,
1990). The CP digestibility was significantly lower in the rams fed diet 100PM
than in other experimental diets. Significant differences were observed in
digestibility of CP among the supplemented and non- supplemented groups in the
current study. Rams of the supplemented groups had higher digestibility of CP
than those animals in the control group. However, rams fed diets 30PM70CJ and
100CJ had higher values in digestibility of CP. This was attributed to the fact
that as the concentration of Pigeon pea hay increased in the supplement diets
the digestibility of CP was increased. The significant improvement of CP
digestibility in the supplemented groups as compared to the control group is in
agreement with literature reports (Tesfaye, 2007; Tewodros, 2011; Yeshambel et al., 2012; Getahun, 2014). The
current result is also in agreement with the report of Berhanu et al. (2014). The authors reported
higher digestibility of CP for supplemented groups compared to the
non-supplemented group in Washera sheep breed fed with natural pasture hay as
basal diet and supplemented with Millettia
ferruginea (Birbra) foliage. The difference in digestibility of CP obtained
between supplemented and control groups in the current study could be due to
the presence of high CP content in the diets of the supplemented groups
compared to control group. Akinyemi et al.
(2010) also observed higher CP digestibility in animals supplemented with
Moringa than in the control group. The likely explanation may be Moringa fodder
consists more degradable components especially crude
protein. Yeshambel et al. (2012)
reported that inclusion of lowland bamboo leaf hay significantly improved CP
digestibility as compared to sole natural pasture grass hay in lambs of Washera
sheep breed. Devendra (1982) also stated that supplementation with forage
legumes increased the digestibility of poor-quality roughages. According to McDonald
et al. (2002) protein rich feeds
promote high microbial population in the rumen and also facilitate rumen
fermentation. The authors also suggested that high CP intake is usually
associated with better CP digestibility. The CP digestibility increased with
increase in the levels of pigeon pea hay with guinea grass in the diets. Crude
protein digestibility increased linearly with increasing supplementation of Cajanus cajan
hay while the highest (81.72%) crude protein digestibility was recorded in rams
fed sole 100CJ diet. This observation was in agreement with the reported values
observed by Fadiyimu et al. (2010)
who obtained 84.96% CP digestibility in sheep on sole Moringa foliage diet.
There were significant differences in crude fibre (CF) digestibility among
treatments. Animals fed on Panicum
maximum supplemented with Cajanus
cajan hay in diets 50PM50CJ, 30PM70CJ, and 100CJ had significantly higher
CF digestibility than animals maintained on diet 100PM. This result indicated
that the higher the CP level of the Panicum
maximum and Cajanus cajan hay
mixture diets 50PM50CJ, 30PM70CJ and 100CJ positively influenced CF
digestibility which agrees with the reports of Fasae et al., (2005) and Okah et
al., (2012) that CF digestibility and CP digestibility increase with
increasing level of CP in diet. This results were also in line with the report
of Minson (1990) that supplementation of browse to a basal grass diet can help
improve the dietary protein as well as improve the DMI and digestibility of the
diet. The value of Ash digestibility content recorded from the result ranged
from 23.08 to 29.10%. This indicated that ash digestibility content is useful
in assessing the quality grading of diets and also gives an idea of the amount
of mineral elements present in the leaves (Smart, 1996). The value obtained in
this study fell above (10.90%) the value reported by Ibeawuchi et al., (2002) and also higher than the
value (6.29%) reported by (Mecha and Adegboola 1980). This suggested that the
browse plant (Cajanus cajan)
hay could be a better source of essential valuable and useful minerals needed
for good metabolic that will enhance good production of small ruminants. The
significant increase in the digestibility of Nitrogen free extract (NFE) as a
result of pigeon pea hay supplementation is in agreement with the findings of
Abule et al., (1995). This can be
attributed to an increasing level of the crude protein that was ingested. It
agrees with the previous study on the effect of increasing dietary crude
protein level on nitrogen or crude protein digestibility (Sahlu et al.,1993). The higher NDF digestibility
values observed for the animals fed supplemented diets 70PM30CJ, 50PM50CJ,
30PM70CJ and 100CJ compared to diet 100PM (sole Panicum maximum) could be due to the presence of higher crude
protein content in the supplement diets than the diet 100PM sole (Panicum maximum) which provides more
nitrogen for microbial utilization (Yahaya et
al., 2000; Abdulrazak et al.,
1997). This is also in consonance with a study by Mc Meniman et al. (1988) who reported an increase
rate of rice straw degradation when supplemented with leguminous hay. Likewise,
Ndlovu and Buchanan-Smith (1985) found similar observations when Lucerne hay
was used as a supplement for barley straw. These results indicated that the
sole Panicum maximum digestibility
was lower due to the high fibre concentration. Mostly, the feeding value of
forages and the extent of forage degradation in the rumen are constrained by
the amount of fibre content (NDF) (Von Keyserlingk et al., 1990; and Aregheore, 2007). Forages containing high cell
wall content show restricted voluntary intake due to their slow degradability
and accumulation of fibre in the rumen (Martin-Orou et al., 2000). The ADF digestibility was significantly higher in
the rams fed diet 100CJ than in other experimental diets. ADF digestibility
increased linearly with increasing levels of Pigeon pea hay. This indicates
that increasing the level of Pigeon pea hay increased the activities of
fibrolytic bacteria in the rumen due to the availability of essential nutrients
in balanced proportions for improved microbial growth and multiplication,
resulting in efficient fiber utilization. It has been reported that DM
digestibility was above 70%, which place them in category of high quality feeds
(Meissner et al., 2000). Manaye et al., (2009) also reported that
supplementation of Sesbania sesban
with napier grass improved DM, OM, CP and neutral
detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility in sheep, leading to higher animal
performance. The results of the present study clearly indicate that Pigeon pea
hay played a positive role in improving rumen function and digestibility
compared to the sole Panicum maximum
based diet.
Table 4: Nutrient
digestibility (%) of growing West African Dwarf rams fed diets with different
levels of Cajanus cajan
foliage hay and Panicum maximum
mixture.
|
Parameters |
100PM |
|
70PM30CJ |
50PM50CJ |
30PM70CJ |
100CJ |
|||||
|
DMD |
87.26±1.62b |
86.87±2.85c |
88.24±2.23a |
86.89±2.97c |
87.14±2.71b |
||||||
|
CPD |
63.32±1.74d |
75.13±2.40c |
76.06±1.25bc |
78.54±3.37b |
81.72±1.59a |
||||||
|
CFD |
67.32±2.10c |
65.89±2.06d |
68.10±1.53b |
67.82±2.83c |
71.97±1.42a |
||||||
|
ASH |
25.21±2.31b |
23.08±1.42b |
24.69±2.77b |
28.14±1.44a |
29.10±2.14a |
||||||
|
NFE |
62.24±2.82b |
61.46±1.67b |
63.30±3.73bc |
65.07±1.83ab |
67.48±1.98a |
||||||
|
NDF |
60.42±2.82d |
62.09±2.51c |
64.05±3.67c |
67.60±3.03ab |
69.09±2.34a |
||||||
|
ADF |
58.81±2.72c |
61.05±1.57bc |
65.61±2.86b |
66.57±3.47ab |
68.89±3.76a |
||||||
|
Lignin |
10.27±0.89bc |
12.06±1.84b |
14.89±1.37a |
11.07±1.11b |
9.10±2.11c |
||||||
abcde Means in the same row not follow by the same
superscripts are significantly (P<0.05) different. DMD= Dry Matter Digestibility,
CPD= Crude Protein Digestibility, CFD= Crude Fibre Digestibility, EED= Ether
Extract Digestibility, NFE=Nitrogen Free Extract, NDF=Neutral Detergent Fiber,
ADF= Acid Detergent Fibre
CONCLUSION
The study showed that feeding 70% Cajanus cajan
foliage hay with 30% Panicum maximum
mixture resulted in better feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and
enhanced nutrient digestibility. Hence, it could serve as a good substitute for
dry season feeding of growing rams.
RECOMMENDATION
Feeding
of Cajanus
cajan foliage hay at 70% inclusion level with
guinea grass improved total DM intake, body weight gain, and nutrient
digestibility to the minimum levels acceptable for growing rams on a
maintenance ration. Thus, smallholder ruminant farmers in the rain forest zone
of the country who are unable to use concentrate supplement and experience
extreme feed scarcity during the peak of the dry season can therefore use this
ration to maintain the body weight of non-producing animals.
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Cite
this Article: Adebisi, IA; Okunlola, OO; Aina, ABJ; Sowande, OS; Aderinboye, RY (2022). Nutritional potential of Cajanus cajan foliage hay on growth performance
and nutrient digestibility of West African dwarf growing rams fed Panicum maximum. Greener
Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 12(3): 269-281. |