SILAGE QUALITY OF MEGATHYRSUS MAXIMUS ENSILED WITH GRADED LEVELS OF GMELINA ARBOREA AND ITS NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY BY WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

R. T. Binuomote; T. Y. Ojo; S. N. Adedokun; V. O. Olalere; R. A. Yusuff

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.7345

Authors

R. T. Binuomote Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
T. Y. Ojo Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
S. N. Adedokun Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
V. O. Olalere Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
R. A. Yusuff Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7345

Keywords:

Guinea grass, WAD Sheep, Gmelina arborea leaves, silage

Abstract

Ruminant production in the tropics is challenged by forage scarcity in the dry season. The conservation of forages particularly as silage can bridge this gap. This study assessed silage quality and nutrient digestibility of Megathyrsus maximus ensiled with varying levels of Gmelina arborea leaves (GAL) as dry season feed for West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. Different mixtures of Megathyrsus maximus and Gmelina arborea leaves (GAL) were ensiled and designated as follows: T1: 100% Megathyrsus maximus; T2:75% Megathyrsus maximus + 25% GAL; T3: 50% Megathyrsus maximus + 50% GAL.; T4: 25% Megathyrsus maximus + 75% GAL; T5:100% GAL. Silage characteristics and chemical composition were investigated. Fifteen WAD sheep were used in the digestibility trial. Result revealed pH (4.6-5.1), 26.55% - 31.48% dry matter (DM), 10.93 – 15.88% crude protein (CP), 60.58 – 63.18% Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 32.72 – 38.75% Acid detergent fiber (ADF), 17.37 – 19.50% Acid detergent lignin (ADL). The order of DM and CP digestibility coefficient of silage diet by WAD sheep is T2, T1, T3, T4 and T5. Megathyrsus maximus ensiled with varying levels of GAL holds potentials as dry season feed for ruminants showing better quality and digestility by WAD sheep as GAL increased in the diets.