IN-VITRO DIGESTIBILITY EVALUATION OF SOME UNEXPLOITED FOLIAGE AS RUMINANT DIETS FO MILK PRODUCTION

Abstract

Digestibility of feed is a means by which the nutritive value of feed can be determined. The nutritional potential of some foliage (Gardenia aqualla, Vittellaria paradoxa, Ficus syncomorus and Anogessius leiocarpus) as ruminant feed was assessed using in-vitro digestibility trial technique. Gas production was continuously measured by incubating samples in buffered rumen fluid from goat for 24hr. Cumulative gas production was recorded at 3hr interval incubation period of 24hr and in-vitro characteristics was observed. Results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in gas production and in vitro characteristics. At 24 hours of incubation, Gardenia aqualla had the highest gas production (4.67v/hr), while Anogessius leiocarpus produced the least volume of gas (3.00v/hr). Gardenia aqualla had the highest (31.04%) organic matter digestibility, followed by Vittellaria paradoxa (31.01%), Ficus syncomorus (27.79%) and Anogessius leiocarpus (25.44%). Gardenia aqualla and Ficus syncomorus had short chain fatty acid values of 0.05 and 0.04 µmol respectively. The metabolizable energy was significantly (p<0.05) highest (4.39Kcal/g) in Gardenia aqualla and least (3.64 Kcal/g) in Anogessius leiocarpus. Gardenia aqualla and Ficus syncomorus had the highest value (3.00ml) of carbon IV oxide. Ficus syncomorus had the highest value (92.51%) of in-vitro dry matter digestibility while Gardenia aqualla had the least value (72.75%). It can be concluded hat the foliage examined can make up ruminant diets, however, Gardenia aqualla had better potential as feed resource in ruminant feeding.