Search

Seasonal chemical composition, in sacco organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) degradabilities and CP fractions of haulms of three improved (ITA2, ITA6 and ITA8) and three commercial (Oloyin, Peu and Sokoto) cowpea varieties harvested in wet and dry seasons were evaluated in a 2 A— 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Effective degradation of OM and CP was estimated at assumed outflow rates of 2 and 4% h−1. Commercial haulms (all the other parts of the cowpea minus the grains) had greater (P 

A field experiment was conducted between 2007 and 2008 to determine the agronomic performance and nutritive quality of some varieties of dual-purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) grown in marginal land without fertilization. The experiment was arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two seasons (wet and dry) and two groups (commercial and improved) of cowpea varieties. The varieties were evaluated for biomass and grain yields, green leaf retention, chemical composition, secondary metabolites and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). A group × season interaction was observed for biomass yield with higher yields recorded in the wet season. Grain yield and green leaf retention were also greater (P < 0.001) in improved varieties with an average yield of 467 kg ha −1 and over 50% of leaves retained during the wet season, respectively. Interaction between group and season was observed for crude protein (P = 0.002), lignin (P = 0.003) and hemicellulose (P = 0.003) contents of the cowpea haulms. The IVOMD of the haulms ranged from 585 to 802 g kg −1 OM. Quality indices (IVOMD, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates) of the cowpea varieties were better during the dry season. Results from the study showed that dual-purpose cowpea varieties can easily be grown by resource-poor small-holder farmers as it requires little or no input and will provide sufficient biomass that will be used as a supplement during the dry season while providing extra food for the households.

Seasonal chemical composition and ruminal organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) degradabilities were determined in four tropical multi-purpose tree species (MPTS) namely; Pterocarpus santalinoides, Grewia pubescens, Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Leucaena leucocephala. Three West African dwarf (WAD) rams fitted with permanent rumen cannula were used for the degradability trials. Foliage samples were collected four times to represent seasonal variations as follows: January--mid dry; April--late dry; July--mid rainy and October--late rainy seasons. Leaf samples were randomly collected from the trees for estimation of dry matter (DM) and chemical composition. Ruminal in sacco OM and CP degradabilities were estimated from residues in nylon bags. All samples had high CP (161-259 g/kg DM) and moderate fibre concentrations [neutral detergent fibre (without residual ash], 300-501 g/kg DM; acid detergent fibre (without residual ash), 225-409 g/kg DM and acid detergent lignin, 87-179 g/kg DM across seasons. Interaction effects of species and season on chemical composition were highly significant (p = 0.001) except for trypsin inhibitor (p = 0.614). The MPTS recorded more than 60% OM and CP degradability at 24 h, which implied that they were all highly degradable in the rumen. Their incorporation into ruminant feeding systems as dry season forage supplements is therefore recommended.

The nutritive value of leaves of four varieties of cassava - MS 6, TMS 30555, Idileruwa and TMS 30572 was evaluated based on their chemical composition and in vitro fermentation. Crude protein (CP) contents of cassava leaves ranged from 177 to 240 g/kg dry matter (DM), with TMS 30555 showing the highest CP contents. Neutral detergent fibre (NDFom) and acid detergent fibre (ADFom) contents of cassava leaves ranged from 596 to 662 and 418 to 546 g/kg DM respectively. Condensed tannin (CT) and hydrocyanic acid contents ranged from 1.0 to 3.8 g/kg and 58.5 to 86.7 mg/kg DM respectively. The range of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the supernatant after in vitro incubation of the cassava varieties was: acetate (14.7-31.5 mmol/l); propionate (4.5-6.3 mmol/l); butyrate (3.1-3.9 mmol/l); valerate (0.4-0.6 mmol/l); iso-butyrate (0.6-1.3 mmol/l); iso-valerate (1.1-1.9 mmol/l). The acetate:propionate ratio resulting from fermentation of TMS 30555 was higher(p < 0.05) than that of the other leaves. The highest in vitro gas production of 50.5 ml/200 mg DM was recorded for MS6 being higher (p < 0.05) than for TMS 30572, but similar to TMS 30555 and Idileruwa. The DM, CP, ADF and HCN contents of cassava leaves were positively correlated with gas production, while CT content was negatively correlated with gas production. The study showed that leaves of the varieties MS 6 and TMS 30555 are superior to the others in terms of CP and gas production indicating a higher digestibility and energy content and thus nutritive potential. They may therefore serve as supplements for ruminants fed on poor roughages.

A field experiment was conducted in 2006 and 2007 to determine the agronomic performance and nutritive value of Sorghum almum for introduction in the derived savannah area of Nigeria. The experiment was arranged in a 2 · 4 factorial design with 2 plant spacings (0AE5 · 0AE5 m and 1AE0 · 1AE0 m) and 4 nitrogen (N)