Effect of different levels of water spinach as supplement to a  basal diet of cassava root meal and rice bran on digestibility and N retention in pigs

Bounhong Norachack, Soukanh Keonouchanh, Chhay Ty^* and T R Preston**

Livestock Research Center, NAFRI,
MAF, Lao PDR,
^* CelAgrid, Cambodia
** UTA-TOSOLY - Finca Ecológica
AA # 48, Socorro, Colombia

Four crossbred (Mong Cai*Large white) castrate male pigs of 8.0 to 10.0 kg were used to study the effect of different levels of water spinach supplemented to basal diet of cassava root meal and rice bran on the intake, nutrient digestibility and N balance. Treatments were 10, 20, 30 and 40% of water spinach (DM basis).

Total DM feed intake and feed intake as percentage of body weight were decreased with increased levels of water spinach (P<0.001, P<0.001 respectively). Nutrient digestibility and N balance were increased with increase in levels of water spinach.

It was concluded that nutrient digestibility and N balance are improved when water spinach is added to diets of growing pigs.

Key words: rice bran, cassava root meal, water spinach, digestibility, pigs