\u3ci\u3eTheobroma cacao\u3c/i\u3e Pod Silage Diets; Effect on Mineral and Anti-Nutrients Utilization by Goats

A 63-day study was conducted to evaluate the mineral and anti-nutrients utilization and weight gain by west African dwarf goats fed Theobroma cacao pod silage diets. Cocoa pod husk used was collected, crushed to 2 cm particle size, divided into 4 equal portions, and ensiled differently with synthetic and non-synthetic fertilizer for 28 days under anaerobic conditions to increase the nutrients. Thereafter the ensiled products were dried and incorporated with other convectional feed ingredients at fixed amount to make four diets to feed twenty-four goats (six goats per treatment). Nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient composition were assayed; sex effect on intake (nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient), utilization, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. From the results, the non-protein nitrogen sources proved to improve the nutritional values of the diets, and rich enough to support the growth of goats. The goat-does were observed to consume more of their feeds than the bucks. Anti-nutrients were tolerable and did not hinder utilization/depress weight gain. Goats fed diet D (5% urea ensiled CPH) had the highest weight gain and lowest feed conversion ratio. Hence, it could be recommended to ruminant farmers for adoption, to improve livelihoods in sub-Sahara Africa

Dry Matter, Protein and Fibre Digestibility by West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Varying Levels of \u3cem\u3eVernonia amygdalina\u3c/em\u3e Meal in Cassava Starch Residue-Based Diets

It is imperative to find alternative source(s) of feed for livestock in lieu of the limited availability of conventional concentrates and the competition for this resource by man. One plant with great potential for the livestock is bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina). It is wide spread with about 200 species, is edible, drought tolerant, nutritious and has been found to have medicinal qualities (John 1994). V. amygdalina has an astringent taste which affects its intake. Bitter leaf meal contains 20-34% crude protein (CP) and can be used as protein supplement (Aregheore et al. 1998). With the recent introduction of trees and shrubs into cropping and grazing systems to provide high protein fodder to supplement post harvest crop residues, it is conceivable that V. amygdalina could play a valuable role in ruminant feeding system. This study was conducted to assess the dry matter, protein and fibre digestibility by WAD sheep fed diets containing various levels of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal

Influence of Cutting Height on Seasonal Composition of \u3cem\u3eMoringa oleifera\u3c/em\u3e in the Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

Moringa oleifera, a native of sub-Himalayan regions of northwestern India, is now indigenous to many countries in Africa. Matured leaves and young branches of Moringa are potentially useful livestock fodder, for ruminants (Akinbamijo et al. 2004) and non-ruminants (Ly et al. 2001). However, in Nigeria it has been grossly underexploited as it is restricted to the arid northern zone where it is used mainly as live fence and as vegetable salad. The study was initiated because not enough information on the nutritive value of Moringa foliage and its change with season, harvesting or grazing had been accumulated in Nigeria especially in the rainforest zone

Maize (Zea mays) genotypes for intercropping with cassava (Manihot esculenta) in southern Nigeria; 2: growth morphological changes and yield advantages

Five maize genotypes differing in plant habit and growth period were evaluated at 5 population densities (10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 × 103 plants/ha) under an intercropping system with cassava cv. TMS30572 at 1 × 1 or 1 × 0.67 m spacing in a tropical Alfisol in southern Nigeria. Increasing the maize population enhanced cassava height and internode length but decreased leaves and branches/plant and stem diameter, and hence yield. The effects on maize plants of increasing the maize population were increased ear insertion and plant heights, days to 50% tasselling, and root and stem lodging and decreased leaf angle and stem diameter. The effects of high maize populations on cassava traits persisted for 7 months, even though the maize was harvested 3 months after cassava planting. Cassava stem girth was significantly affected by maize genotype. Land equivalent ratios indicated that early maturing, short maize varieties produced the best cassava and maize yields at 80 000 plants/ha while late maturing, tall varieties were best at 40 000 plants/ha

Development and regional deployment of streak virus resistant maize germplasm: an overview

The Maize streak virus (MSV) disease has been one of the most devastating diseases of maize (Zea mays L.) in all the countries of West and Central Africa (WCA). For a long time, breeding for resistance to the disease was frustrating because of lack of facilities for uniform artifi cial inoculation. In 1975, a collaborative project involving the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and the national agricultural research systems (NARS) of West and Central Africa was initiated with emphasis on breeding streak resistant (SR) maize germplasm. The scientists developed reliable screening methods for Maize streak virus resistance. They also identifi ed and developed an effective rearing method for the most active vector of the virus (Cicadulina triangula) for virus transmission. The scientists identified sources of resistance, studied the genetics of resistance, and screened for resistance thousands of lines and populations from CIMMYT, IITA, and NARS of WCA and other parts of the world. Using the backcross breeding method, breeders converted established varieties and breeding populations from different sources to SR. In 1988 when the project was terminated, most of the available breeding populations and lines from CIMMYT and IITA, and many elite varieties from the NARS had been converted to SR and many NARS scientists had been trained to carry out SR conversion at the national level. Artifi cial infestation of breeding materials with viruliferous C. triangula is now a standard practice of maize breeders at IITA and in many national programs. Also, IITA has been distributing primarily SR maize germplasm to African countries and beyond. All maize varieties released in WCA countries in the last two decades are streak resistant. The payoff from these efforts is that MSV is no longer a serious threat to maize production in WCA. Crop scientists may emulate the example of this collaborative effort in a bid to eradicate other virus diseases

SHORT COMMUNICATION Proximate, mineral composition and anti-nutrient contents present in Parkia biglobosa leaves

The leaves of Parkia biglobosa was evaluated for the proximate, mineral and anti-nutrition composition. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used in determination of the leaves for P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn. Anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) including phytate, oxalate and trypsin inhibitor were also determined using appropriate technique. The results of proximate analysis indicate that the leaves had high crude protein (CP) (13.15%), moisture (57.38%), dry matter (DM) (42.62%), ether extract (EE) (1.90%), crude fibre (CF) (17.97%), and ash (8.20%). Mineral analysis indicate the Parkia biglobosa leaves contained some essential mineral such as K (0.82%), Ca (0.34%), P (0.35%), Mg (0.35%), Fe (161.30mg/kg) and Zn (60.75mg/kg). The leaves of Parkia biglobosa have low concentration of ant- nutritive factor. Phytate (0.67%), Oxalate (0.40%) and trypsin inhibitor (4.25mg/g). The results showed that the Parkia biglobosa leaves is of high nutritional quality due to high crude protein and mineral contents with low presence of anti-nutritional factors, and may therefore form good feed resources for modern intensive ruminant animal production.Keyword: Parkia biglobosa, Anti-nutritional factors, Proximate and Minera