Abstract

In-vivo supplementation effects of Sesbania aculeata and Pennisetum purpureum with basal diet on feed intake, digestibility and growth performance of Black Bengal goat

Authors: Mst. Shakila Pervin, Md. Ashraf Zaman Faruk, Abu Hena Md. Asif, Mohammad Ashiqul Islam and Md. Ruhul Amin

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.71081/cvj/2023.010

Abstract
Eight weeks (56 days) long experiment was conducted to quantify the chemical composition, feed intake, digestibility, and growth performance of Black Bengal goat supplied with Sesbania (Sesbania aculeata) leaves and Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) grass with a basal diet. The experiment employed on fifteen Black Bengal goats with average weight around 9.62±0.54 kg and divided into three groups having five goats in each: group T3 (control) offered only basal diet (concentrated mixture and straw) and allowed for native grass, whereas the group T1 and group T2 offered same basal diet but additionally supplemented with Sesbania leaves and Napier grass, respectively. In this experiment, both feed intake and nutrient digestibility of DM, CP, OM, ADF, and NDF were found to be higher in T1 and T2 over T3 in the said order. The total dry matter intake (DMI) was 784.5, 601.5, and 619.2 g/d for goats fed with Sesbania, Napier and Native grass respectively, where Sesbania group (T1) showed significantly higher (p<0.05) values compared with other treated groups (T2 and T3). Moreover, the total metabolic energy intake in Sesbania and Napier groups were 7.8 and 6.2 MJ/d that was comparatively higher over the control group (5.3MJ/d). Although, the total BW gain and average daily weight gain with feeding of Sesbania leaves were 5.46 kg and 97.50 g/day respectively, which were significantly higher (p<0.01) compared to Napier and control group. Thus, it can be concluded that Sesbania could be an alternative substitute fodder with basal diet in goat production than the other foliage.

Keywords: Dry matter intake, Metabolic energy, Napier, Native grass, Sesbania