Nutritive value of Batiki Grass (Ischaemum aristatum var. indicum) supplemented with leaves of browses (Gliricidia sepium and Leucocephala) on performance of goats

Aregheore, Martin and Perera, Hewage G.D. and Yahaya, M.S. (2004) Nutritive value of Batiki Grass (Ischaemum aristatum var. indicum) supplemented with leaves of browses (Gliricidia sepium and Leucocephala) on performance of goats. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 6 (1). pp. 143-148. ISSN 1560-8530

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Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to test the nutritive value of Batiki grass (Ischaemum aristatum var. indicum) supplemented with either Gliricidia sepium or Leucaena leucocephala at different levels. Sixteen growing goats (Anglo-Nubian x Local Fiji) were used to measure voluntary feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility and to estimate live-weight changes. At the start of experiments 1 and 2, the mean age and live weight of goats were 8-10 months and 8.7 ± 0.34 kg, and 10 - 12 months' and 12.3 ± 0.11 kg, respectively. In both experiments, there were four treatments and Batiki grass alone control. Three amounts of Gliricidia (experiment 1) and Leucaena (experiment 2), respectively were offered: 0, 20%, 50% and 80% of the total daily forage allowance. The basal and supplemental components of the diets were mixed and offered as a whole diet. Leucaena had higher CP but lower DM NDF compared to Gliricidia. In the two experiments, Batiki grass had similar, DM, CP, ash and GE, but had a higher NDF (39.7 v. 34.5%) content in experiment 1. DM and NDF contents of the diets decreased with incremental levels of supplementation of Batiki grass with either Gliricidia or Leucaena. CP content of diets increased
with incremental levels of supplementation with either of the browses. Leucaena diets were higher in CP than those of Gliricidia. GE (MJ/kg DM) content of diets also increased with increase in the levels of supplementation with both Gliricidia and Leucaena. The intake of Batiki grass by goats in both experiments differed significantly (P<0.05). Voluntary feed intake increased (P<0.05) with incremental levels of supplementation of Batiki with either Gliricidia or Leucaena. In both experiments, incremental levels of supplementation with either of the browses increased daily live-weight gain (P<0.05). However, live-weight gains were relatively higher (P<0.05) with Leucaena diets than with Gliricidia. Feed efficiency (feed/gain) of goats in both experiments followed the trend of live-weight gain and voluntary feed intake (P<0.05). Supplementation of Batiki grass with either Gliricidia or Leucaena increased the digestibility of DM, CP, OM and NDF by the growing goats. However, there was a decline in growth rate but not voluntary feed intake at the + 80 Gli and + 80 Leu diets. Data on growth rate and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients suggest that both browses are potential sources of protein in ruminants' diets, however, Leucaena had advantages over Gliricidia in all parameters measured. In conclusion, the best level at which either Gliricidia or Leucaena could be used to supplement Batiki grass to obtain maximum growth of crossbred Anglo- Nubian goats in Samoa would be at + 50 Gli and + 50 Leu, respectively.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Agriculture and Food Technology
Depositing User:	Ms Neha Harakh
Date Deposited:	25 Apr 2004 17:10
Last Modified:	09 Jul 2012 03:42
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/3090

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