ABSTRACT
The research was carried out on in-vitro evaluation of Cynodon nlemfuensis, Moringa oleifera leaves and cassava peels, ensilage mixture as feed for small ruminants. was carried out in the Animal science Laboratory in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. Five treatments were examined .treatment 1 contains 100% Cynodon nlemfuensis ensilage (200g), treatment 2 contains 170g of Cynodon nlemfuensis + cassava peels (20g) + Moringa leaves (10g), treatment 3 contains Cynodon nlemfuensis (140g) + cassava peels (40g) + Moringa leaves (20g), Cynodon nlemfuensis (100g) + cassava peels (60g) + Moringa leaves (40g) were evaluated, Cynodon nlemfuensis and Moringa leaves were harvested from the University of Benin farm project Ugbowo campus. The Cassava peels were collected from Uselu market, Benin City. thereafter they were washed, air-dried, and ensiled with the Cynodon nlemfuensis and Moringa leaves. The ensiling process lasted for 28 days in an air tight container and no additive was used. The chemical composition (DM, CP, EE, ASH, NDF, ADF) of each treatment in addition to the in-vitro digestibility (%) of the respective treatments was determined, and the results obtained was analyzed statistically using GENSTAT(12th edition) and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) where significant differences existed.
The nutrient composition (DM, CP, EE, ASH, ADF, ADF) of the ensiled mixture T2, T3 and T4 was observed to be significantly different from T1 (100% Cynodon nlemfuensis). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the gas production of all treatments at 24hr of incubation, this might be attributed to the content of degradable carbohydrates present in T2, T3 and T4. The potential gas production value for T1 (100% Cynodon nlemfuensis) was lowest (6.00 ml) and this probably is due to its fibre content and may reduce its digestibility as digestibility has been synonymous to in vitro gas production. The values of ME, SCFA, OMD and DMD were observed to be higher in treatments T3 and T4. The high methane production observed in diets T3 and T4 might be due to the presence of a higher content of cassava peel and moringa leaves in these treatments. The values of ME, SCFA, OMD are significantly different (p<0.05) from each other while the values of DMD are not significantly different (p<0.05) between the various mixtures.
Based on this study, it was concluded that addition of cassava peel and moringa leaves to Cynodon nlemfuensis improved silage properties, metabolisable energy concentration, in vitro organic matter digestibility and acceptability of Cynodon nlemfuensis silage by small ruminants. The ensiled mixture is a good source of protein ingredient for animal feed; therefore ensiling should be encouraged and promoted.
