Nutrient and Microbial Evaluation of Varied Mixtures of Clitoria ternatea and Panicum maximum

Author: J.A. Alalade, S.T. Oyewole, O.O. Okunlola, I.A. Adebisi, O.T. Ojoawo, J.A. Akinlade O.A. Aderinola, K.A. Adaramola and H.M. Tairu
alaladeja16@gmail.com
Abstract:
Inadequate supply of quality feed remains one of the major challenges facing ruminant production in the tropics. Critical evaluation of the available forages will perhaps help in ameliorating this challenge. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the nutrients and microbial evaluation of varied mixtures of Clitoria ternatea and Panicum maximum. Five treatments: 100% Panicum maximum (100% Pm), 70% Clitoria ternatea + 30% Panicum maximum (70% Ct + 30% Pm), 50% Clitoria ternatea + 50% Panicum maximum (50% Ct + 50% Pm), 30% Clitoria ternatea + 70% Panicum maximum (30% Ct + 70% Pm) and 100% Clitoria ternatea (100% Ct), each replicated thrice were formulated using completely randomized design. Dry matter (DM), Crude protein (CP), Crude fibre (CF), tannin, oxalates, microbial and Ca were determined and subjected to ANOVA at 5% probability. The highest CP (18.87%) and DM (53.90%) were recorded for 100% Ct while the lowest CF content obtained was similar for 100% Ct and 50% Ct + 50% Pm at 14.35 and 16.04%, respectively. Tannin, oxalate and Ca were not affected (P>0.05). Bacterial count was similar up to 50% inclusion of C. ternatea while the least concentrations (2.67 x 105CFU/g) was observed in 100% Pm. Therefore, mixture at 50% Ct + 50% Pm lowered fiber fraction and anti-nutritional contents and thus has tendency of enhancing feed intake, digestibility and nutrient utilization for better ruminant production.

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Key Words: Clitoria ternatea, feed, forage, Panicum maximum, ruminant
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