Biodegraded Cassava Root Sievate For West African Dwarf Goat Production In Rainforest Zone:- Jiwuba, Peter-Damian C

ABSTRACT Six studies were carried to evaluate the nutritional value of non-biodegraded cassava root sievate (NBCRS) and biodegraded cassava root sievate (BCRS) and the feeding value of Pleurotus tuber regium degraded cassava root sievate (PTRCRS) in West African dwarf (WAD) goats. The nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of CRS and BCRS were studied in experiment 1. The results showed that BSCRS were significantly (p>0.05) higher in crude protein (CP), ash, nitrogen free extract (NFE) and calcium while NBCRS were higher (p>0.05) in ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) tannins, saponins. In experiment 2, the in vitro gas production and gas production characteristics ofNBCRS and BCRS were evaluated. PTRCRS produced higher (p>0.05) in vitro gas at 6, 12 and 24 h incubation time. Organic matter digestibility (OMD), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and metabolisable energy (ME) were significantly (p>0.05) higher for the BSCR. In experiment 3, 4, 5 and 6, four experimental diets (Ti, T2, T3, and T4) were formulated with 0, 20, 40 and 60% inclusion levels of PTRCRS in a completely randomized design. CP and ash were significantly (p<0.05) high in T3 and T4. NDF and ADF showed significant (p<0.05) decrease with increasing levels of PTRCRS. The HCN, oxalate and saponins levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in T4. In experiment 4, in vitro gas production volumes were significantly (p>0.05) for T3 and T4 at 6 and 24 hr incubation time. CH4 was significantly (p<0.05) reduced with increased levels ofPTRCRS in the diets. In vitro gas production (IVGP), SCFA, ME and OMD were higher (p<0.05) in the treatment groups (T2, T3 and T4) in comparison with the control (Ti) group. In experiment 5, 16 WAD goats averaging 5.28 kg in weight were randomly divided into four groups of 4 goats each. The groups were randomly assigned to four experimental diets (Ti, T2, T3, and T4) for 90 days in a completely randomized design. The results showed significant (p<0.05) differences for DM, DM intake as percentage of body weight (% BW), CP, OM, NDF and ADF intakes. Daily weight gain was significantly (p<0.05) improved in T3 and T4. FCR tended to decreased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of PTRCRS in the diets. Packed cell volume and red blood cells were better (p<0.05) in T2 in comparison with other treatments. Cholesterol and urea values were higher (p<0.05) in Ti in relation to the other treatments. Total protein, globulin, total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were higher (p<0.05) in T3 and T4. Warm carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin and set weights were significantly (p<0.05) increased at T3 and T4. Liver weight was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in T3 and T4. Sensory evaluation, proximate composition and pH ofthe meat were not (p>0.05) influenced by the diets. Total cost of feed was highest (p<0.05) in T4 (N2278.13) with the corresponding lowest value in Ti (N1763.70). Feed cost/weight gain was highest for Ti (N489.92) and lowest for T4 (N325.45). Benefit per BW gain was better (p<0.05) in T4. Cost-benefit ratio showed significant (p<0.05) differences with T4 having the best value. In experiment 6, four bucks were used in the digestibility and nitrogen balance study in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Results showed that dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, NDF and ADF were better (P<0.05) digested in T4 group. Nitrogen intake was higher (p<0.05) in T4 (19.62 g/d) and lowest in Ti (12.39g/d). Nitrogen balance, nitrogen retention and nitrogen absorbed were significantly (p<0.05) higher for T4 goats. It could be concluded that the use ofPleurotus tuber regium for the biodegradation improved the quality and feeding value of cassava root sievate. Incorporation of PTRCRS in diets of WAD bucks generally enhanced performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance ressing percentage and cost/benefit ratio. Diet T4 promoted the best relative performance amon