Using of ensiled taro

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of increasing proportions ( 0 to 100%) of protein from ensiled taro foliage replacing protein from fish meal on the performance of growing Van Pa pigs in Central Vietnam. Eighteen Van Pa pigs with an average initial live weight of 8.5 ± 0.37 kg were randomly allocated to 3 groups with 6 pigs per group. Each group consisting 6 Van Pa pigs allocated at random to three pens, with 2 pigs (1 male and 1 female) per pen. The three experimental diets were formulated according to the growing phase 0 to 30 kg and contained 10 % CP (of DM). Protein from ensiled taro foliage replaced the protein from fish meal in diet of growing Van Pa pigs at levels of 0, 50 and 100 %.

There were significant differences in final weight gain, daily live weight gain and feed intake among the experimental diet (P<0.05) but there was no significant differences in feed conversion ratio among the experimental diet (P>0.05).

It was found that increasing levels protein from ensiled taro foliage replacing protein from fish meal were significant decreased in the final weight gain, daily live weight gain and feed intake daily in growing Van Pa pigs. Daily weight gain of Van pa pigs on the FM, TS50 and TS100 diets were 125.3, 111.1 and 105.1 g, respectively. However, Increasing levels protein from ensiled taro foliage replacing protein from fish meal in diets of Van Pa pigs tended to decrease in feed cost. Ensiled taro foliage can be used as a protein replace fishmeal for Van Pa pigs in upland condition.

Key word: ensiled taro foliage, protein, Van Pa pigs,

Table 1 . Effect of increasing proportion (0 to 100) of protein from taro foliage silage replacing protein from fish meal on performance and economic efficiency of growing Van Pa pigs
	Diets			SEM	P
	FM	ETS50	ETS100	SEM	P
Number of pigs	6	6	6
Initial weight, kg	8.5	8.5	8.42	0.368	0.983
Final weight, kg	23.62^a	21.83^ab	21.03^b	0.532	0.011
Daily live weight gain, g	125.3^a	111.1^ab	105.1^b	4.621	0.022
Feed in take, kg DM/day	0.60^a	0.57^b	0.54^b	0.004	0.001
FCR, kg DM/kg gain	4.96	5.15	5.20	0.233	0.757
Feed cost VND/kg gain	33005	31927	29807	1472	0.323
Compare control %	100	96.7	93.6

**Using of ensiled taro (Colocasia esculenta) foliage as a protein sources in diets for local Van Pa pigs in the uplands conditions in central Vietnam**

Nguyen Thi Hoa Ly, Tran Thanh Hai and T R Preston^*

Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, VietnamUTA, TOSOLY, AA48 Socorro, Santander, Colombia*

nguyenhoaly@gmail.com

Abstract

Key word: ensiled taro foliage, protein, Van Pa pigs,

Using of ensiled taro (Colocasia esculenta) foliage as a protein sources in diets for local Van Pa pigs in the uplands conditions in central Vietnam