NUTRITIVE VALUE OF MAIZE HUSK TREATED WITH TERMITE HOMOGENATE AT DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS AND DURATIONS

Abstract

The call for diversification of Nigerian economy has stimulated more investment in production of staple crops such as maize. The production of maize has its own challenges which include generation and management of wastes. Such wastes from maize include husk and cobs. After harvesting, most farmers leave their maize husk on the farm to decay with less being consumed by livestock. The ability of termites to digest cellulose suggests the possibility of improving the nutritive content of maize husk through fermentation with termite homogenate. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritive value of maize husk treated with termite homogenate at different concentrations and durations. Homogenate obtained from termites (Kalotermes spp) was used to ferment maize husk at different concentrations and durations being 0ml/kg,100ml/kg,300ml/kg,500ml/kg at 8hours, 16hours and 24hours respectively. The experiment was a 3x3 factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD). The proximate and fibre fractions of the resulting substrate were analyzed.Termite homogenate from Kalotermes spp at 100ml/kg, 300ml/kg and 500ml/kg on maize husk incubated for 8, 16 and 24 hours had varying effects on proximate composition and fibre fractions. Termite homogenate from Kalotermes spp at 500 ml/kg used in treating maize husk for 24 hours improved the
protein content and decreased the lignin content of maize husk thereby improving its nutritive value.