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Livestock-Based Farming Systems, Renewable Resources and the Environment |
There were 4 treatments in which banana pseudo-stem replaced taro forage at levels (DM basis) of 0 (T100B0), 20 (T80B20), 40 (T60B40) and 60% (T40B60). DM content of the silage increased from 10.7% (T40B60) to 14% (T100B0), and crude protein was reduced from 19% (T100B0) to 11.6% in DM (T40B60) as banana pseudo stem replaced the taro. There were changes in chemical composition during the time of ensiling from 0 day to 21 days, N-NH3 increased from 36.9 to 76.4 mg/kg total N, crude protein reduced from 17.5% to 13.7% in DM; lactic acid increased from 0.84 to 1.4% in DM and acetic acid decreased from 1.45% at 0 day to 0.72% in DM at 21 days. Four castrated male pigs F1 (MCxLW)) with initial weight of 50 ± 0.4 kg were used in a 4*4 Latin square design to study the total tract digestibility and N utilization. Total DM intake was highest in T100B0 (1.9 kg/d) and lowest in T40B60 (1.56 kg/d). Apparent digestibility of CP was highest in T100B0 (77%) and lowest in T40B60 (58%); for NDF highest in T100B0 (61%) and lowest in T40B60 (48%). N retention was reduced by increasing banana pseudo-stem in the diets; highest in T100B0 (29g/d) and lowest in T40B60 (14g/d ).