Evaluation of Nutrient Contents of Different Forms of Altemanthera brasiliana and Free Choice Intake by WAD Sheep

• A.A. Mako

  Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

  Author

• V.O. Akinwande

  Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

  Author

• F. R. Sodique

  Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

  Author

• B. Oyekale

  Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

  Author

Ruminant production is constrained by inadequate supply of forage, during the dry season in Nigeria. Altemantera brasiliana (AB) is a perennial herb that is available all seasons and can serve as fodder for livestock. This study evaluated the proximate compositions of Alternanathera brasiliana harvested during four seasons (early rainy, late rainy, early dry and late dry seasons) of the year and the different forms of Altemantera brasiliana by West African, Dwarf (WAD) sheep. Results showed that season had no effect on proximate composition of the species. The DM ranged from 20.10 20.49% in late rainy and late dry. The crude protein (CP) ranged from 20.35 to 25.42% in late dry to late rainy. The nutrient contents of different forms of AB showed that wilting and sun-curing improved the dry matter; ranging from 21.56 to 58.78% in fresh and sun-cured respectively. All minerals tested were similar except for manganese; ranging from 49.98 to 62.41ppm in late rain to late dry. The coefficient of preference revealed that all forms of AB were acceptable, but the wilted AB was most preferred. Altemantera brasiliana has potential as forage for ruminants especially in the dry season.

1. A.A. Mako, Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

   Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

2. V.O. Akinwande, Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

   Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

3. F. R. Sodique, Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

   Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

4. B. Oyekale, Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

   Department of Agricultural Production and Management Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education, PMB, 2118, Ijebu-Ode,

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