Three cultivars of Lablab purpureus foliage in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Nigeria are nutritive

Abstract

Lablab purpureusis a perennial legume, is a valuable feed resource for livestock production. The foliage of three cultivars of Lablab purpureus (Tln-43, Tln-49 and Tln-51) were evaluated for their proximate, minerals compositions and anti- nutritional factors in a completely randomized block design experiment. Results showed significant differences among cultivars in (P<0.05) crude protein (16.97%), ether extract (5.9%EE) crude fat (27.37%CF), ash (9.98%) and drymatter (72.44%) contents. Similarly,minerals contents of phosphorus (0.37%P), potassium 0.89%K), calcium (0.26%Ca), magnesium (0.29%Mg), iron (192.60mg/kg Fe), and Zinc (55.28mg/kg Zn) were influenced by cultivars Lablab purpureus The values of anti-nutritional factors in the three cultivars of Lablab purpureus leaves ranged from 0.44 to 0.73% for Saponin, Oxalate (0.40-0.53%), Phytate(0.62 to 0.85%), tannin(0.04-0.06%), trypsin inhibitor (20.24-21.78mg/g)and HCN (1.65- 2.37mg/g). It was concluded from this study that, nutrient contents, anti-nutrient factors as well as mineral contents were influenced by cultivars of purpureus, though their antinutrients contents cannot poses any deleterious effect to ruminant animal's feed and feeding regime.