Open AccessChemical composition, in vitro digestibility and gas production characteristics of six ficus species based diets with Panicum maximum in the dry season
Author(s) -
T. O. Abegunde,
O. J. Babayemi,
A. O. Akinsoyinu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v36i1.1187
Subject(s) - ficus , panicum , dry matter , biology , botany , zoology , forage
The nutritive value of Ficus exasperata, F. polita, f. vogelli, F. ahutilifolia, F. thonningii, und F. mucoso in mixtures with 30% Punicum maximum were investigated in terms of their chemical composition, saponins, phenols, in vitro gus production (IVGP), metabolizuble energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD%) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was significantly (P<0.05) lowest in E thoningii. Saponin was detected in F politu, while Phenol was detected in all Ficus species except F. poliiu und F. thonningii. WVGP, ME, OMD and SCFA obtained for all Ficus species were significantly (P<0.05) higher than values obtained for F. mucoso. Least value for soluble 'a' fraction of the samples was recorded for A mucoso (5.76), similar to values obtained for E thonningii (7.17), F. abutilifoliu (7.92) and F exasperula (7.92). Potential gas production 'b'values differed significantly (p<0.05) among E exasperata (50.50), I vogelli (43.92) and f mucoso (37.25), but was similar among E polita (46.17), E. thonningii (44.83) and F. abutilifolia (44.50). Potentially degradable a+b' fructions for all ficus species except F. mucuso were similar und significantly (P<0.05) higher than F mucoso. Rate of fermentation 'c' differed significantly (P<0.05) henveen F exasperata (0.06) and E mucoso (0.04). Data from this study showed that ull Ficus species except Ficus mucoso had potential to be used as forage supplements in the dry season.