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ABSTRACT
This study assessed the essential nutritional components present in maize residue gotten from the crop science field in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, using Near-infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS). The experimental samples consist of residue from three treatment plots. T1S being stover from maize crop fertilized with Centrosema pubescens, T2S being stover from maize crop fertilized with Chromolaena odorata and T3S being stover from maize crop fertilized with Panicum maximum. The results showed high levels of dry matter (91.61-91.87), crude protein (6.85-10.18), ether extract (2.67-3.45) and other chemical composition parameters. It also showed levels of essential amino acids like histdine (0.08-0.14), threonine (0.31-0.41), valine (0.52-0.63), methionine (0.14-0.17), lysine (0.11-0.16), isoleucine (0.47-0.58), phenylalanine (0.22-0.38), tryptophan (0.02-0.06) and other amino and fatty acids composition parameters. Mineral composition levels of sodium (2420.80-2874.70), potassium (8426.80-10318.60) and phosphorus (3589.50-4514.10) were found to be appreciable while manganese (83.90-136.50), ferric(112.00-367.00) and zinc (23.50-28.50) and calcium had low levels and the in-vitro DMD ranged from (48.76-51.01). Results from the current study demonstrated high levels in chemical composition of maize residue which meets dietary requirements and endowed with high nutrients. Maize residue was found to contain rich levels of sodium, potassium and phosphorus. However, amino acids and fatty acids were well below minimum requirements.
