Effect of replacing soybean meal with cassava, paper mulberry and wild sun-flower leaf meals in maize based diets for local weaned pigs 

Ammaly Phengvilaysouk, Thanongsinh Dangkhounsay, Tassilo Tiemann*, Phonepaseuth Phengsavanh and Soukanh Keonouchanh 

Livestock Research Centre, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Vientiane Lao PDR.
ammalyp@yahoo.com
*International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) P.O. Box 783, Vientiane, Lao PDR 

Abstract 

The objective of the research was to determine the effects of different levels of leaf meal of cassava, paper mulberry and wild sun-flower, as potential sources of protein to replace soybean meal in maize-based feeds for locally weaned pigs. Thirty six local weaned pigs were used in the study of six dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were six piglets per treatment (3 females and 3 castrated males) with an average piglet age of 5 months and average live-weights of 11.1±2.10 kg. The piglets were individually penned for 90 days. The 6 dietary treatments were based on the levels of cassava, paper mulberry and wild sun-flower leaf meal replacement of soybean meal at rates of 0, 50 and 100%. The 6 dietary treatments were: Control= soybean meal as source of protein 100%, CLR50= cassava leaf meal replacement of 50% of soybean meal; CLR100= cassava leaf meal replacement of 100% of soybean meal; PLR50= paper mulberry leaf meal replacement of 50% of soybean meal; PLR100= paper mulberry leaf meal replacement of 100% of soybean meal; WLR50= wild sun-flower leaf meal replacement of 50% of soybean meal. Daily feed availability was restricted to 4.00% of body weight, while water was available ad-libitum. The study was undertaken at the National Livestock Research Center within the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Vientiane, Lao PDR.  

Daily feed intake in terms of percent of body weight in the different dietary treatments, Control, CLR50, CLR100 and PLR50 were not significantly different (p>0.05) (intakes were 4.00, 3.90, 3.80 and 3.70% of body weight, respectively). However, in treatments PLR100 and WLR50 the intakes were lower at 3.10 and 3.30% of body weight, respectively. Average daily gain was significantly different (p<0.05) across the dietary treatments. The control diet using soybean meal as the protein source had highest daily weight gain of 220g/day, followed by CLR 50 and PLR 50, with daily weight gains of 155 and 120 g/day, respectively. The lowest daily weight gains were from the two treatments WLR50 and PLR100, with 60.0 and 35.0 g/day, respectively. The feed conversion rates were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the dietary treatments for the control, CLR 50 and PLR 50 treatments (3.00, 3.70 and 3.80, respectively). However, they were significantly higher for CLR 100, PLR 100 and WLR 50 (6.90, 10.9 and 7.80, respectively).  Based on the results of this study can be concluded that the control diet had highest daily weight gain, followed by CLR50 and PLR50. The leaf meal replacement of soybean meal at rates of 50% or 100% replacement were significantly reduced feed intake and daily weight gain of weaned pigs.  

Key words: Feed intake and growth rate, local weaned pigs, leaf meals replacement soybean 

Introduction 

The major problems of small-holder pig production in upland area are high piglet mortality and low growth rates. Almost all local pigs kept in scavenging system suffer from feed limitation in both quality and quantity. According to Phengsavanh et al (2010) surveyed on productivity of pigs in L4PP villages found that almost piglets had a low growth rate (20-50 g/day) and high mortality (30-50%) in upland area.  Farmers needed to feed weaned pigs (5-8 months) and it can grow only in approximately 20 to 30 kg of liveweight.  

The results and experiences of the ACIAR funded Project “Forage legumes for supplementing village pigs in Lao PDR (L4PP)” was implemented during 2006 to 2010 reported that protein is the most limiting factor in pig production systems in Lao PDR lead to weaned pigs slow growth (Stur et al 2008). The results of an experiment conducted in the LARF-4, using soybean meal at rates of 20g/kg total diet as protein source were that feed intake and growth rate of weaned pigs improve substantially (120 g/day) and needed to feed weaned pigs only 3 months it can grow about 25 to 30 kg (Phengvilaysouk et al 2011). 

However, the disadvantage of soybean (grains) as a supplement is its relatively high price, its use for human consumption and the resulting demand competition and cultivation problems in upland areas mainly due to problems with pets. All this results in low accessibility of soybean for smallholder farmers and therefore, further efforts are required to find locally available protein sources of high quality as potential protein source supplements for pig production in upland areas in Laos and the region. Promising candidates could be cassava, paper mulberry and wild sun-flower. According to Phengvilaysouk and Wanapat (2008) cassava leaf has a high crude protein (CP) concentration (19 to 23% CP) which consisted of various essential amino acids in proportions close to those of soybean meal. Wild sunflower leaf contented 20.6% CP (Fasuyi and Ibitayo (2011) and paper mulberry leaf 21.5% CP (Stur et al 2008). 

Therefore, the proposed project aim to improve growth rates and piglet survival for pig fattening systems which present an important opportunity for smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods and on-farm resource use, the specific objective of this experiment is to determine the suitable levels of different types of leaf meals to replace soybean meal in maize based diets of weaned pigs.

Material and methods 

Location:

The experiment was conducted at the Livestock Research Center (Nam Xuang), 44 km highway 13 North from Vientiane City, Lao PDR. The experiment was implemented for 4 months period from July to November 2011.   

Experimental animals and design:  

A total of 40 local weaned pigs were used for this study. There were (20 females and 20 castrated males) with an average age of 2-4 months and average live-weights of 7.30±1.30 kg.  The piglets were creep-fed on a maize-rice bran-soy bean diet (50:30:20) with contained CP 16.0% for a month. After that, thirty-six healthy weaned pigs were selected (18 females and 18 castrated males) with an average live-weight of 11.1±2.10 kg. Thirty-six weaned pigs were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments of six pigs per treatment (3 females and 3 castrated males) in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). 

The proportions of feed stuffs used for each treatment are shown in Table 1. The six dietary treatments were based on the different levels of cassava, paper mulberry and wild sun-flower leaf meal replacement of soybean meal at rates of 0, 50 and 100%. The protein content for six dietary treatments were similar (16.2 to 16.6% CP) aim to determine the suitable leaf meal levels as protein source replacement of soybean. The levels of crude fiber and digestible energy were similar for all diets (6.00 to 7.40% CF) and (2.90 to 3.70 Mcal/1 kg), respectively. 

Feed preparation and diet management:

Rice brand, maize and soybean meal were purchased from local feed mills close to LRC. Cassava leaf was harvested at LRC for making leaf meal. Paper mulberry and wild sun-flower local feed had available in the villages. They were harvested only green leaf and sundry 3 to 4 days and grinding by machine. Weaned pigs were adapted to the diets for 14 days prior to start of the experiment. The piglets were fed with the dietary treatment for 12 weeks. Daily feed availability was restricted to 4.00% of body weight with twice daily feed offered, while water was provided ad-libitum. Salt was added to all diets at a rate of 0.20% of the diet to stimulate intake.

Data collection and analysis:  

The following data were recorded during the experimental period:

•  Liveweight (LW) was measured in the morning before feeding at the beginning of the experiment and then every week. At the end of the experiment average daily gain (ADG) was calculated.

•  Feed offers and refusals were daily recorded to determine feed intake.

• Feed samples were randomly taken twice a week, combined over time and sub-sampled for determination of dry matter (DM) content, ash, crude protein (CP), lysine, crude fibre (CF) and gross energy (GE).

Statistical analysis:  

The experimental data was analysed with an ANOVA by using the General Linear Model (GLM) of the MINITAB software version (Release 13) with Turkey’s pairwise comparisons procedure.   

Results 

Chemical composition of feed stuffs

The chemical composition of the ingredients was analysed at Queensland Department of primary industries and Fisheries, old, Australia (recently integrated into DEEDI) and are presented in Table 1. Rice bran and maize were used as basal diets for energy source while soybean  was supplemented  as a good quality protein source. The cassava, paper mulberry and wild sun-flower leaf meal were used as protein source replacement of soybean. The results found that soybean had a highest crude protein content of (48.3%), while cassava, paper mulberry and wild sunflower leaf meal contained (25 to 27% CP). The other points, rice bran had a highest crude fibre content of (25%) when compared with other feed stuffs used. 

Dietary feed intake of weaned pigs  

Dry matter feed intake are shown in Table 3. Mean intake of DM, CP, lysine and GE differed clearly among the dietary treatments. The treatment Control, CLR50, CLR100 and PLR50 resulted in higher intake rates (4.00, 3.90, 3.80 and 3.70% of body weight, respectively). While, the lowest feed intake in which the tow treatments PLR100 and WLR50 (3.10 and 3.30% of body weight, respectively). 

In the other hands, when compared among the dietary treatments of cassava, paper mulberry and wild sun-flower leaf meal replacement of soybean meal at rates of 50%, in which treatment CLR50, PLR50 and WLR50 were significantly different (p<0.05). The CLR50 diet had highest feed intake (3.9%), followed by PLR50 and WLR50 in which feed intake got 3.70 and 3.30%, respectively.  

The other points, when compared among the dietary treatments of leaf meal replacement of soybean meal at rates of 100%. Treatment CLR100 was resulted in higher intake than PLR100 is with 3.80 and 3.30% of body weight, respectively. 

Total dry matter feed intake of females and castrated meal weaned pigs were not significantly different (p>0.05). The results are presented in the Table 4.  

Growth performance of weaned pigs 

Growth performance of weaned pigs is shown in Table 5 and Figure 1. The mean values of final weight, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rates (FCR) were significantly different (p<0.05) between treatments.

The ADG was higher with soybean meal supplementation. The control treatment using soybean meal as the protein source supplement at 20% of diet had highest daily weight gain at 220g/day, followed by CLR 50 and PLR 50, in which daily weight gains of 155 and 120 g/day, respectively. The lowest daily weight gains were from the two treatments WLR50 and PLR100, with 60.0 and 35.0 g/day, respectively. 

Figure 1. Growth performance of weaned pigs (kg) among the dietary treatments

 The ADG of weaned pigs used leaf meal as the protein source replacement of 50% of soybean meal were significantly different (p<0.05). The CLR50 diet had higher daily weight gain was 155 g/day than the PLR50 and WLR50 diets had daily weight gain were 120 and 60.0 g/day, respectively. While the two treatments CLR100 and PLR100 using leaf meal replacement of 100% of soybean meal resulted in low daily weight gain with 70.0 and 35.0 g/day.

The FCR were not significantly different (p>0.05) between the treatment control, CLR 50 and PLR 50 are with (3.00, 3.70 and 3.80, respectively). However, these treatments were significantly greater than those treatment CLR 100, PLR 100 and WLR 50 (6.90, 10.9 and 7.80, respectively). 

 Mean values of ADG and FCR were significantly different (p<0.05) between female and castrated male. The results are presented in Table 6. The female weaned pigs had higher ADG and FCR than castrated male (ADG were 116 and 103 g/day, respectively) and (FCR were 5.40 and 6.70, respectively). 

Discussion

Weaned pigs had slow growth or faster growth depends on dietary feed intake and nutrients digestibility. The results of this study found that using of different sources of protein due to protein quality was strongly effected on feed intake and daily weight gain of weaned pigs. The control diet using soybean meal 100% as the protein source supplement had highest daily weight gain (220 g/day) when compared with the treatments using leaf meal replacement of 50% of soybean meal (CLR 50), (PLR 50) and (WLR 50) with daily weight gain of 155, 120 and 60 g/day, respectively; and treatment CLR 100 and PLR using cassava and paper mulberry leaf meal replacement of 100% of soybean meal, the daily weight gain were lowest at 68 and 38 g/day, respectively. The daily weight gain of weaned pigs in this study when compared with the research output from Fasuyi and Ibitayo (2011) resulted the Control diet using soybean meal as the protein source with (19.0% CP), the daily weight gain was 114 g/day and the diets using wild sun-flower leaf meal at rates of 10, 20 and 30% of diet, the daily weight gain were 60, 15 and 11 g/day, respectively. The using soybean meal as the protein source can provide higher crude protein and essential amino acids are an important for growing period of weaned pigs. Humberto et al (2005) reported that total body weight gain was significantly higher with soybean containing diets compared with the Mulberry and Trichanthera diets. 

The important point is that increasing the level of leaf meal replacement of soybean meal reducing feed intake and daily weight gain of weaned pigs. The CLR100 and PLR100 diets using leaf meal replacement of 100% of soybean meal, the daily weight gain were low at 40 and 70 g/day. This study agrees with Andersson and Lindberg (1997) have shown that the decrease in nutrient digestibility with increasing forage meal inclusion was consistent irrespective of the fibre. This result is in agreement with those reported by Agunblade et al (2004) observed relatively low digestibility of DM and OM when cassava leaf meal was included for growing pigs and attributed the effects of high levels of CF. Phuc et al (2000) employed sun-dried cassava leaf meal to replace soybean meal in the proportions 0; 0.15; 0.30 and 0.45 of crude protein (CP) and observed linear reductions in digestibility of OM and CP.

Another important point is that the level of leaf meal increased could be attributed to the decrease in feed consumption which was complicated by the increased bulkiness of the feed and poor palatability of the diets containing leaf meal. It is clear that the Fasuyi and Ibitayo (2011) have shown that the reduction in daily feed consumption and daily weight gain as the inclusion levels of wild sun-flower leaf meal increased from 10% to 30% could be attributed to the low palatability of wild sun-flower. The palatability and feed quality are an important factor effecting on feed intake of weaned pigs. Soybean as a good quality protein source because of soybean has high crude protein content due to essential amino acids and nutrient digestibility lead to the intake and growth rate were higher than the using leaf meal. Similar finding were reported in an earlier study (Fasuyi et al 2010) the presence of anti-nutrient factors in wild sun-flower meal such as Phytin, Tannin, Oxalate, Saponin, Alkaloid and Flavonoids may have contributed in part to the growth and feed intake reduction among the experimental weaned pigs. In addition, most leaf meal contains polyphenolic compounds that bind proteins and reduce both palatability and digestibility (Cheverria et al 2002; Halimani et al 2005). 
 

Conclusions

• Feeding soybean meal as source of protein (100%) in the control diet  had highest daily weight gain, followed by CLR50 and PLR50 treatments.
• Cassava and paper mulberry leaf meal replacement of 50% of soybean meal did not reduce feed intake; it could be a potentially new technology for testing in the village pig production.
• Using wild sun-flower leaf meal replacement at 50% and cassava, paper mulberry of 100% of soybean meal strongly reduced feed in feed intake and growth rate of weaned pigs. 

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) through the Smallholder Pig System Project (SPSP, CIAT) and National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) and the Livestock Research Center (LRC) for providing access to facilities to undertake the study, and to all people for their cooperation when implementing the research. 

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