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Alocasiamacrorrhiza (AM) is a cheap, potentially
valuable feed resource locally available in the mountainous areas
of Northern Vietnam. The roots of AM are rich in starch and the
leaves contain high levels of protein and vitamins. Two experiments
were carried out in Cho Chu village, Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen
province with the aim of determining the optimum ratio of AM roots
and ensiled leaves in the diet for growing pigs and the economical
efficiency of using AM for pigs at village level in the mountainous
areas.
Three levels of 5, 7 and10 % of rice bran with 2% molasses (on a
DM basis) as an additive were mixed and ensiled with AM. In a
second experiment, eighteen crossbred pigs (Yorkshire x Mong Cai)
with an initial body weight of 15.0 ± 1.0 kg were divided into
3 groups. A basal diet (BD) was used a control, with the protein
supplied by soybean meal and fishmeal and in the other two diets
(EAL10 and EAL15) ensiled AM leaves were included as the sole
protein source at 10 and 15%, respectively of the dry feed.
Ensiling AM leaves with 7% rice bran and 2% molasses reduced
oxalate calcium content by 78.8%, maintained the pH of the silage
at 4.05 - 4.12 for 60 days, and improved palatability, without
reducing the nutritive value of the silage. Including10% ensiled AM
leaves (replacing fish and soybean meal) with 45% AM root meal in
the diet had no negative effects on the performance of the pigs and
gave higher economic benefits for the farmers.