EVALUATION OF PROXIMATE AND FIBRE COMPOSITIONS IN CAMEL’S FOOT (Piliostigma reticulatum. DC) PODS IN KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the proximate and detergent fibre compositions of Piliostigma reticulatum pods obtained in the senatorial districts of Kebbi State. Three areas covering three grazing reserves were randomly selected from each senatorial district. In each area 50m x 50m plot size were measured and demarcated where there are uncultivated stands of the browse plant. Matured pods were harvested during the dry season of 2015 to 2016 (December to February) from selected plant stands in all the areas in each district and pooled together as a representative sample. Representative sample for each senatorial district were dried, milled and taken to the laboratory for proximate and fiber analysis. Data on the various components (crude protein, ether extract, ash, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract and fibre fractions) were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS 20.0 (2015) software package. The results indicated that all the parameters measured for proximate composition were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by their locations. Kebbi North was significantly (P<0.05) higher in DM, CP, CF and NDF, compared to Kebbi South, while there was no difference (P>0.05) between Kebbi North and Kebbi South
in Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) and Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) contents. The pods of P. reticulatum obtained across the senatorial districts of Kebbi State have nutritive value which livestock can effectively benefit in their diet.