Performance of Uda rams fed graded levels of Parkia biglobosa yellow fruit powder (YFP)

N Muhammad, K M Aljameel, S A Maigandi and I A Abubakar¹

Department of Animal Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
nasiru696@yahoo.co.uk
¹ Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying levels of Parkia biglobosa yellow fruit powder (YFP) on the performance of Uda rams. The animals were fed diets containing 0, 10, 20 and 30% inclusion levels of P. biglobosa yellow fruit powder in a completely randomized experimental design replicated four times. Data were collected for 12 consecutive weeks on feed intake and live weight gain.

Result indicated no significant difference between the treatments on all the performance parameters (P>0.05). Cost of feed/kg live weight was lower for animals fed diets containing high level of P. biglobosa yellow fruit powder (P<0.05). It was concluded that the yellow fruit powder of Parkia biglobosa could be incorporated up to a level of 30% in the diet of sheep for productive and efficient performance.

Key words: African Locust bean, feed conversion, live weight gain, sheep

Introduction

Small ruminants, which feed mainly on forages and crop residues are affected by seasonal weight fluctuation between the wet and dry periods of the year (Dayo et al 2009). Seasonal availability of production inputs such as feed, water and quality pasture constitutes constraint to livestock production (PCOL 2003). According to Adegbola (2004), the scarcity of energy and protein feedstuffs during dry season is a major set-back to ruminant livestock production in the tropics. During this period, the available forages are dry with very low crude protein content and a marked decrease in voluntary intake and digestibility (Steinbach 1997, Smith 2001)(Oyenuga, 1968; Steinbach, 1997)(Maigandi, 2001) . The prices of conventional energy ingredients have been rising in addition to increased(Maigandi, 2001) Competition between humans and animals on the available grains feeds as a result of increase in human population (Bonsi et al 1995).

Researchers therefore, are considering the use of alternative source of feed ingredients in order to reduce the cost of animal production. One of such alternatives is the use of multipurpose tree species (MPTs) in which Parkia biglobosa, is classified (Burkill 1995).

Parkia biglobosa is a perennial legume tree, belonging to the sub-family Mimosoidae and family Leguminosae (Burkill 1995). The plant is used as a source of food, medicinal agents, timber and is of high commercial value (Dike and Odunfa 2003). In West Africa, the seeds of P. biglobosa provide a rich source of vegetable protein for human food and livestock feed (Obizoba 1998). For humans P. biglobosa is usually fermented to a tasty condiment, used as a flavour intensifier for soups and stews (Dike and Odunfa 2003). The husks and pods are good feed for livestock (Fetuga et al 1974). Fetuga et al (1974) further reported that the plant is a good source of tannins, saponins, gums, fuel and wood. The seeds of various species of the genus Parkia have been investigated for their protein and amino acid contents (Soetan and Oyewole 2009). The fruit pulp powder of the P. biglobosa is sweet to the taste, which indicates the presence of natural sugars and thus a potential energy source. The attractive yellow colour could indicate presence of carotenoids, which are important precursors of vitamin A while the sour taste could indicate presence of vitamin C. The use of yellow fruit pulp in some parts of rural Africa as an alternative to grain is an indication of its edibility and non-toxicity (Owoyele et al 1987; Akoma et al. 2001). Yusuf and Rahji (2012) .reported that the yield of the pods per tree varies between 25 to 52 Kg, seeds 6-13kg and Yellow powder (estimated as yield of pods less seeds) are between 18 to 37 kg on dry matter basis .This study therefore investigated the effect of feeding graded levels of Parkia biglobosa yellow fruit powder on the productive performance of Uda rams in Semi-arid zone of Nigeria.

Materials and methods

Experimental Site

The study was conducted at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Livestock Teaching and Research Farm. The farm is located within the main campus of the University at about 10km North of Sokoto Metropolis in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Sokoto is located in the Sudano-Sahelian zone in extreme North-Western part of Nigeria. It lies between longitudes 4^o8’E and 6^o 54’E and latitudes 12^o0’N and 13^o58’N and at altitude of 350m above sea level (Mamman et al 2000). The average annual environmental temperature is 28.3 ^oC (82.9^o F). However, the maximum daytime temperature are most of the year generally under 40^oC (104.0^oF).The low humidity of Sokoto state makes the heat bearable. Heat is more severe in the state in March and April. But the weather in the state is always cold in the mornings and hot in the afternoons except during the hamattan period (SSMIYSC 2010). The warmest months are February to April, where daytime temperature exceed 42^oC (107.6^oF) (SSMIYSC 2010).The rainy season is from late May to October. Rainfall starts late and ends early with annual rainfall ranging between 500mm to 700mm. There are two major seasons in the state namely: wet and dry seasons. The dry season starts from October and last up to April, in some parts of the state may extend to May or June. The wet season on the other hand begins in most part of the state in May and last up to September or October (SSMIYSC 2010). The hamattan, a dry, cold and fairly dusty wind is experienced in state between November and February of each year. Due to low humidity, Sokoto is more suitable for livestock production than for any other agricultural activity.

Sources and Processing of Experimental Feeds

The locust bean powder used in this experiment was purchased from Achida market in the outskirts of the metropolis. The remaining feed ingredients that included maize, rice offal, cowpea husk, premix, bone meal, salt, cowpea haulms, cotton seed cake and salt were purchased from Sokoto Kara market within the metropolis. Maize, cotton seed cake and cowpea hay are crushed to reduce their particle size.

Figure 1. Parkia biglobosa (African Locust bean) Tree	Figure 2. Parkia biglobosa (African Locust bean) ripe Yellow pulp
Figure 3. Yellow Powder of Parkia biglobosa (African Locust bean) from a ruptured pulp	Figure 4. Displaying Yellow Powder of Parkia biglobosa (African Locust bean) from a ruptured pulp
Figure 5. Parkia biglobosa (African Locust bean) seeds

Experimental Design and Diet Formulation

A completely randomized experimental design (CRD) was used in this experiment with number of animals representing replication and graded levels of P. biglobosa yellow fruit powder representing treatments. Five animals were allocated to each treatment each animal serving as replicate. The weight of the animals was balanced between treatments. Each animal was housed in a pen measuring 2mÎ 1m, which was previously disinfected. Four complete experimental diets were formulated with graded levels of locus bean fruit powder at 0.00, 10.0, 20.0, and 30.0 % inclusion levels. The diets were designated as treatments YFP0, YFP10,YFP20 and YFP30 in the experiments. Each group was assigned to one of the experimental diets and fed ad libitum in the morning for 12 weeks. Water was offered ad libitum. The gross compositions of the experimental diets are shown in Table 1.

Experimental animals and their management

The apparently healthy rams were after purchase stationed at the Livestock Teaching and Research Farm Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, for seven days for adaptation and for Quarantine. The animals were dewormed using Albendazole^R based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. The feeding pens were cleaned regularly and disinfected prior to the commencement of the experiment. Faeces and urine of the animals were removed every day from the feeding pens to ensure adequate hygiene, prevent ammonia accumulation and minimum discomfort of the experimental animals. Feed and water troughs were cleaned every morning before feeding.

Data Collection

Live Weight and Body Measurement

The animals were weighed individually at the beginning and every week on the same day of the week using a weighing scale after feed withdrawal for about 14.0 hours to avoid error due to gut-fill. The mean weekly live weight of each treatment group was recorded. Linear body measurements (body length and hearth girth) were measured in centimetre (cm) using flexible tape as described by Alphonsus et al(2009).

Feed intake

Feed intake was obtained on daily basis by subtracting the left over from the actual quantity offered to the animals the previous day. Adequate measures were taken to ensure safeguard against wastage.

Statistical Analysis

The data collected were subjected to Analysis of variance(Steel and Torrie, 1980). Least significant difference (LSD) was used to separate the means. Regression analysis was used to find the relationship between live weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the graded levels of Parkia biglobosa yellow fruit powder. The data were analysed using Statview statistical Package (SAS 2002).

Results

Proximate components of the test ingredient and the Experimental Diets

Proximate composition of the experimental diets showed that crude fibre is higher for treatments YFP0 and YFP10. The dry matter composition of the diets decreases with increased in level of P. biglobosa. NDF, ADF, hemi-cellulose and lignin are higher in treatment YFP0 compared to the other treatments. The values for energy and crude protein were comparable between the treatments. The test ingredient (P. biglobosa yellow fruit powder) contained higher energy (more than 2500 ME/Kg) with low crude protein, ash and ether extract contents (Table 2).

Growth performance of Uda rams fed graded levels of P. biglobosa fruit powder

Results (Table 4) indicated no difference (P>0.05) between treatments in dry matter intake, initial and final body weight, live weight gain and feed conversion ratio.

Figure 6. Live weight changes of Uda rams fed graded levels of Parkia biglobosa yellow fruit powder (YFP)

Fig 6 indicated non-significant difference (P>0.05) in the live weight of the animals at the beginning of the experiment. There was a drop in live weight of animals in treatment YFP0 at the second week of the experiment and for all the treatment at week 7 of the experiment. The figure indicates a steady increase in live weight gain from week 7 to the end of the experiment. Animals placed on treatments YFP20 and YFP30 showed higher live weight at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). Treatments YFP0 and YFP10 are the same in the final live weight (P>0.05).

Feed conversion ratio and live weight gain (g/day) indicated an increased performance with increased level of P. biglobosa yellow fruit powder (P<0.05) (Figure  7 and 8) with animals in treatment YFP30 showing a better response compared to other treatments (Tables 5 and 6)

Figure 7. Effect of graded levels of P. biglobosa fruit powder on FCR

Figure 8. Effect of graded levels of P. biglobosa YFP on Daily gain (g/day)

Regressing Average daily gain (ADG) on graded levels of YFP indicated that starting from a base line of 213g/day at 0%YFP inclusion, any unit increase in ADG will require additional level of 1.4% YFP (Figure 9). Conversely, feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased with increased level of YFP (Figure  10).

Figure 9. Regressing ADG on % inclusion of YFP

Figure 10. Regressing FCR on % inclusion of YFP

Cost feed consumed and cost of feed/ kg live weight

Cost of feed consumed/kg decreases as the level of P. biglobosa increases from treatment YFP0 to treatment YFP30. Total cost of feed consumed and cost of feed/kg live weight was lower for animals fed diets containing higher levels of P. biglobosa yellow fruit powder (YFP30) (P<0.05) (Table 7).

Discussion

Proximate and fibre constituent of diets and the test ingredient

The crude protein content of the diets is within the recommended values to support the optimum microbial need in the rumen. The values are above the 10-12% crude protein requirement for growth of sheep outlined by Gatenby (2002). Crude fibre fraction crude fibre, NDF, ADF, Hemi-cellulose and lignin tends to decrease with increase in the level of P. biglobosa fruit powder, due to less fibre content of Parkia biglobosa yellow fruit powder as observed by Gernah et al (2007). It could also be attributed to decreased level of cowpea hay with increase in the level of P. biglobosa fruit powder from treatment YFP0 to YFP30.

Digestible carbohydrate content of the test ingredient was similar to 67.3 % reported by Gernah et al (2007) but the ingredient tested in the present study contains more fibre. In addition, Fetuga et al (1974) and Uwaegbute (1996) indicated that yellow fruit powder contains more fermentable carbohydrate than the seeds. Higher digestible carbohydrate contents might be responsible for high metabolisable energy content (Table 2). Because of its carbohydrate content, the African locust yellow fruit pulp has been considered as a potential energy source (Muller, 1988).

The crude fibre content is higher than those obtained by Gernah et al (2007) much the fat and ash contents are lower. The crude fibre content is much lower than those obtained from seeds as observed by Uwaegbute (1996). The lower fat (EE) content of the material is an indication that P. biglobosa could not easily deteriorate at room temperature due to rancidity.

Growth performance of Uda rams fed graded levels of P. biglobosa fruit powder

The non-significant difference in final body weight and live weight gain might be a good indication of better utilisation of the test ingredient ( P. biglobosa yellow fruit powder) by the experimental animals. This shows the safe effect of feeding P. biglobosa on the performance of the animals. Average Daily Body weight gain reported in this study was above the range reported by Wada et al (2014) when they fed graded levels of P. biglobosa to Yankasa rams. The observed differences may be due to the breed or age of the animals. Njidda (2008) reported that an efficient utilisation of nutrients supplying energy and protein ensure optimum growth performance in ruminants. Increased level of YFP further indicated better ADG and feed conversion efficiency (figs 9 and 10) of the animals. These confirm to the report of Fetuga et al (1974) and Uwaegbute (1996) that the YFP of P. biglobosa contain high soluble carbohydrates. The dry matter intake of the animals further explained the trend in growth performance. The DM intake is higher than the values reported by Devendra and McLeorray (1982). The non-significance difference in live weight gain and Dry matter intake was responsible for the non-significance difference in feed conversion ratio. Higher live weight gain recorded across the treatments showed a better feed utilisation.

Cost of feed consumed and cost of feed/kg live weight

Cost of feed/kg decreases from treatment YFP0 to YFP30 because of increase in the inclusion level of P. biglobosa fruit powder. Cost of feed consumed was significantly higher for the control diet partly because of higher cost of feed/kg indicated for the treatment and partly because of non-significant difference in the overall feed intake between all the treatments. Cost of feed/kg live weight was lower for animals fed diet containing higher levels of P. biglobosa yellow fruit powder (YFP30) due to the fact that cost of feed/kg and total cost of feed consumed was lower for animals in the treatment. Cost of feed/kg live weight is an important economic aspect of sheep production (Maigandi et al 2002).

Conclusion

• It was concluded that yellow fruit powder of Parkia biglobosa can replace other energy sources such as maize in fattening small ruminants.

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Received 15 December 2015; Accepted 28 April 2016; Published 1 July 2016

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