NUTRIENTS PROFILE AND POST IN-VITRO PARAMETERS FOR DIETARY INCLUSION OF Delonix regia SEED MEAL FOR SUSTAINABLE RUMINANT ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the nutrients profile and post in-vitro parameters for dietary inclusion of Delonix regia seeds meal (DSM) for sustainable ruminant animal production. Four experimental treatments were formulated with wheat offal 42%, orange pulp meal 20%, bone meal 2% and salt 1%, palm kernel cake (PKC) and DSM was varied as T1 (35/0), T2 (20/15), T3 (15/20) and T4 (0/35) respectively, each treatment were replicated and analyzed for the proximate composition and in-vitro analysis. Results shows that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the nutrients and fiber fractions (CP, EE, ash, OM,
NFE, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose) across the experimental treatments, CP ranges between 10.50 – 13.60%, decreases as the inclusion of DSM increases. Similar (P>0.05) DM was recorded across the experimental treatments. Post in-vitro parameters indicated that the methane gas volume was significantly (P<0.05) influenced with the dietary inclusion of DSM across the experimental treatments, T2 had the highest volume of CH4 (0.61ml), least was recorded for T1 (0.47 ml). Similar value (P>0.05) was recorded for 24hrs gas production, CH4 percentage, CH4 reduction percentage, dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy and fermentation efficiency across the experimental treatments. Conclusively, the nutrients profile of the experimental treatments justifies the utilization of DSM for sustainable ruminant animal production, similar value observed for the post in-vitro parameters is an indication that inclusion of DSM will go a long way to resolve the challenges of feed and feeding for ruminant animal production.