IN VITRO GAS PRODUCTION AND DIGESTIBILITY OF DIETS CONTAINING VARYING LEVELS OF Leucaena leucocephala

Abstract

Effect of cassava peel based diet containing different levels of Leucaena leucocephala was studied to determine its influence on in-vitro gas production and digestibility. The treatments were inclusion of Leucaena at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of concentrate diet. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design. Data obtained were analysed using one way analysis of variance. Results showed that inclusion of Leucaena leaves increased (p<0.05) gas production values from 28.67ml (0%) to 39.14ml (15%). Dry matter and crude protein digestibility values decreased (p<0.05) with the inclusion of Leucaena leaves while organic matter digestibility increased (p<0.05) from 49.00% at 0% to 56.13% at 15% level of inclusion. Short chain fatty acid values obtained were not affected (p>0.05) by Leucaena inclusion. The highest (p<0.05) metabolizable energy value was obtained at 15% level of inclusion (13.25 MJ/kg) while the lowest (p<0.05) was obtained at 0% (9.75 MJ/kgDM). It is conclusion that the inclusion of Leucaena leaves in ruminant concentrate diet increase gas production and higher metabolizable energy.