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The effect of substituting a basal diet with duckweed
(Lemna minor), para grass (Brachiaria
mutica) and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) on the
apparent digestibility and nitrogen retained was determined. Eight
Baxuyen crossed castrated male growing pigs (Ba Xuyen X Yorkshire).
were used in two experiments to evaluate the total tract apparent
digestibility of dry matter (DMD), crude protein (CPD), neutral
detergent fiber (NDFD), acid detergent fiber (ADFD) and nitrogen
retained (NR). In the first experiment, 4 pigs were offered a basal
diet at 4% of body weight and fresh forages were fed ad
libitum. Fresh forages were offered after the pigs had consumed
the basal diet. There were no significant differences in DMD, CPD,
NDFD, ADFD and NR among the 4 diets (P>0.05). In the second
study, 4 pigs were offered a basal diet at a level of 3% of body
weight after consuming the fresh forages. The dry matter intakes of
the fresh duckweed, water spinach and para grass were 11, 7 and 19%
of total dry matter intake, respectively. Feed intakes of the
treatments that included the fresh forages were reduced in
comparison with the control, and there was a similar tendency in
the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, NDF, EE, ADF and N
retained among diets (P>0.05), probably as a result of the high
CP content of the substituted feeds. It is concluded that offering
fresh forages ad libitum improved nitrogen retention and
reduced total dry matter intake but did not decrease nutrient
digestibility. Among fresh forages, water spinach is more palatable
than duckweed and Para grass.