GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HEMATOLOGY OF DJALLONKE RAMS FED HAULMS OF FOUR VARIETIES OF GROUND NUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.)

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the chemical composition of the haulms of 4 dual-purpose ground nut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties and their effects on the growth and hematology of Djallonke rams. The ground nut varieties were ICGV 97049 (Obolo), ICGX SM 87057 (Yenyawoso), RMP 12 (Azivivi) and Manipinta. Rams (means ± SD, live weight 15.0 ± 3.0 kg) were randomly assigned to 4 sole groundnut haulm meal (GHM) treatments, with 4 rams each in an individual pen per treatment (total n = 16 rams). Samples of the ground nut haulms were milled and analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). The CP concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in Azivivi, Manipinta and Yenyawoso than Obolo. The highest (P < 0.05) NDF and ADF fractions were obtained in Obolo. Whilst no significant difference was reported in total and daily dry matter (DM) intake among the varieties, CP, NDF and ADF intake all differed between Obolo and other varieties. The apparent nutrient digestibility did not differ (P > 0.05) when the Djallonke rams were fed the haulms. However, significant differences were observed in final live weight and average daily live weight gain. Rams fed the Yenya¬woso variety had higher (P < 0.05) final live weight and average daily live weight gain compared with those fed Obolo and Azivivi varieties. Consumption of any of the 4 varieties of groundnut haulms by Djallonke rams did not have any harmful effect on their red and white blood cell numbers and hemoglobin concentration. The study revealed that the different varieties of groundnut haulms differs in nutrient composition and also affects the growth performance of the rams. The Yenyawoso variety may be used as a sole diet for fattening Djallonke rams.