Effect of feeding different proportions of Melastoma (Melastoma affine, D. Don) foliage and Sesbania grandiflora foliage in the diet on intake, digestibility and N retention of growing goats
 

Bui Phan Thu Hang, Vo Lam, Tran Thi Trang and Inger Ledin*

Angiang University, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Vietnam,
bpthang@agu.edu.vn
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,
P.O. Box 7024,750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

Four male weaned crossbred goats (Bachthao x local female) with an initial weight of 11.9 ± 0,2 kg and age from 3 to 4 months were used in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design.  The diets were composed of Melastoma affine foliage fed ad libitum supplemented with Sesbania grandiflora at four levels: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of an expected dry matter intake of 3% of body weight.

There was a positive linear increase in DM intake, apparent DM digestibility and N retention, as the level of Sesbania was increased.

Key words: digestibility, goats, Melastoma affine foliage, nutrient intake, Sesbania grandiflora