CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, IN VITRO GAS PRODUCTION AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF SHEEP FED HAULMS OF FOUR VARIETIES OF GROUNDNUT

Abstract

Two separate experiments were conducted; the first experiment was conducted specifically to identify the nutritive characteristics of haulms of 4 groundnut varieties and their impact on body weight and haematological profile of the experimental rams while the second experiment was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation of Napier grass with haulms of 4 different groundnut varieties on the nutrient composition and digestibility of Napier grass under in vitro gas production. The experimental diets were groundnut haulms of Obolo (ICGV 97049), Yenyawoso (ICGX SM 87057), Azivivi (RMP 12) and Manipinta varieties. Sixteen Djallonké rams (weigh 15.0 ± 3.0kg initially) were housed in a separate pens with concrete floors and fed groundnut haulms for ad libitum for 56 days; four rams were assigned to one variety of the haulm. Dried samples of haulms were milled and sieved (2mm) for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) analysis. The crude protein concentrations in the haulms of Azivivi (101.1g), Manipinta (92.0g) and Yenyawoso (102.9g) were insignificantly different (P<0.05) but lowest crude protein value was recorded in the haulms of Obolo (6.8%). Haulms of Obolo variety had the highest neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre fractions (P<0.05). Rams fed haulms of Obolo varieties had the least daily CP intake (60.9g) and the highest daily NDF (481.7g) and ADF (448.5g) intake. Haulms of Yenyawoso variety had the highest NDF (69.2%DM) and ADF (68.4%DM) digestibility while the lowest NDF (55.8%DM) and ADF (58.8%DM) digestibility were found in the haulms of Obolo. Haulms of Yenyawoso variety had high effect on the final live weight (17.6kg) and live weight gain (2950kg) of rams. Rams fed haulms of the four different groundnut varieties did not show significant (P<0.05) difference in White blood cells, Red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, Mean Cell Volume and Platelets. The replacement of 60% Napier grass with the GHM increases the crude protein values of Obolo + Napier, Manipinta + Napier, Azivivi + Napier and Yenyawoso +Napier by 0.9%, 32.9%, 40.6% and 72% respectively. Lowest NDF and ADF values were observed in the Yenyawoso +Napier treatment while Obolo + Napier treatment had the highest. The correlation analysis revealed a positive (P<0.01) relationship in the CP values of IVOMD, ME and asymptote gas production but the NDF and ADF had a negative (P<0.01) effect on IVOMD, ME and asymptote gas production