Academic Research Journal of Biotechnology
 

 Academic Research Journal of Biotechnology.

 ISSN: 2384-616X 

Vol. 6(1), pp. 18-28, October, 2018.

DOI: 10.14662/ARJB2018.023

Full Length Research

Nutritive Evaluation of Ensiled Signal Grass (Brachiaria Decumbens) and Cassava Leaves (Manihot Esculenta) With Millet Additive as Feed for Small Ruminants.

*¹Binuomote, R.T., ¹Ojoawo, O. T. and ²V. O. Asaolu.

¹Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Corresponding author’s E-mail: rbinuomote@lautech.edu.ng

²Department of Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 October 2018

This study was conducted to determine the nutritive value of ensiled Brachiaria decumbens with cassava leaves using in vitro gas production techniques. Brachiaria decumbens and cassava leaves were ensiled in varying proportions with millet additive as T1 (60% Brachiaria decumbens +40% cassava leaves), T2 (60% Brachiaria decumbens +30% cassava leaves+10% millets), T3 (60% Brachiaria decumbens +20%% cassava leaves+20% millets), T4 (60% Brachiaria decumbens +10%% cassava leaves+30% millets), T5 (100% Brachiaria decumbens), T6 (100% cassava leaves) were incubated for 24hrs. The silage quality, chemical composition and in vitro gas production were determined. The colours varied among the silage treatments and were closer to the colour of fresh forages. All the silages had pleasant and acceptable smell. The textures of all the silages were firm which was expected to be the best texture of good silage. There is significant different (P>0.05) among the pH of the silages and it varied from 3.83-5.00. Dry matter DM (31.71 to 48.55%), Crude protein CP (12.56 to 16.05%), Ether extract (3.44 to 4.36%), Crude fibre CF (26.10 to 30.57%) Ash content (15.03 to 18.39%), Nitrogen free extract NFE (34.08 to 39.38%), of the silages differs significantly (P <0.05) among the treatments. The total gas (ml/200mg DM) at post incubation was measured. The cumulative gas produced varied from (7.00 to 25.00 ml/200mg DM) and Methane (ml/200mg DM) produced varied from (7.00 to 25.00 ml/200mg DM) 60% Brachiaria decumbens +10%% cassava leaves+30% millets has the highest digestibility potential. It can therefore be concluded from the result gotten from the silages that ensiled Brachiaria decumbens and cassava leaves with millet additive had high values of crude protein, metabolizable energy, short chain fatty acids, and therefore have the potential that would meet the nutrient requirements of small ruminants in the tropical regions particularly during dry season.

Keyword: Silage, Brachiaria decumbens, Proximate composition, Gas Production

Cite This Article As: Binuomote, R.T., Ojoawo, O. T., Asaolu V.O (2018). Nutritive Evaluation of Ensiled Signal Grass (Brachiaria Decumbens) and Cassava Leaves (Manihot Esculenta) With Millet Additive as Feed for Small Ruminants. Acad. Res. J. Biotech. 6(1): 18-28