EFFECTS OF GUAVA LEAF (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA) SUPPLEMENTATION IN THE DIET OF RUMINANT ON IN VITRO METHANE PRODUCTION, DEGRADABILITY AND PROTOZOA POPULATION

Abstract

Guava leaf is a sustainable and locally accessible forage that can serve as a valuable supplement to the diet of ruminants due to their rich nutritional profile and appreciable secondary metabolites which support methane reduction for effective nutrient utilization. This study investigated the effects of guava leaf supplementation in the diet of ruminant on in vitro methane production, degradability and protozoa population. Guava leaves (GL) was substituted for Panicum hay (PH) at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% levels as roughage source in the diet of West African dwarf goats with roughage to concentrate ratio of 60:40. In vitro gas production technique was carried out by incubating 200 mg of samples from each treatment with 30 mL inoculum. Total gas production, Methane production, diet degradability and protozoa population were evaluated at the end of 48 hours incubation. Guava leaves supplementation improved the proximate composition of the diets especially the crude protein content which was higher (p < 0.05) in diet containing 30 to 60% GL supplementation. In vitro gas and methane production decreased drastically (P < 0.05) with guava leaves supplementation. Diet with 30% GL caused 59% methane reduction with minimal effect on diet degradation. Protozoa count reduced with increase in the level of GL inclusion. It can be concluded from this study that guava leaves should form 30% of diet for West African dwarf goats for effective methane reduction with minimal effect on feed degradability.