Sweetpotato breeding for animal feed from the animal scientist's perspective
1995
Gomez, C.A.
Sweetpotato is extensively used as animal feed around the world. To increse its demand will depend on how competitive it is in relation to other plants in the supply of available nutrients to animals. In this context, sweetpotato breeding should consider dry matter production and available nutrient content (energy and protein). The structure of starch, trypsin inhibitors, and fiber change nutrient availability, and this is affected by processing (heat treatment) and the animal being fed (ruminant versus monogastric). Collaborative research between the National Agrarian University and CIP has begun to determine the potential of prevalent sweetpotato varieties as feed for poultry and dairy cattle in relation to users' demand. Possible constraints will be identified, and these could require breeding for improvement. Other aspects to consider are the potential for sweetpotato in marginal areas for feed and for increasing the sustainability of agricultural systems.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by International Potato Center
