Production, defoliation and storage of cassava leaves as dry season forage for small ruminants in smallholder crop - livestock production system
2009
Fasae, O.A.,University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Nigeria). Dept. of Animal Production and Health | Adu, I.F.,University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Nigeria). Dept. of Animal Production and Health | Aina, A.B.J.,University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Nigeria). Dept. of Animal Production and Health | Elemo, K.A.,University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Nigeria). Dept. of Animal Production and Health
Experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 cropping seasons in south west Nigeria to investigate the yield performance of cassava (cultivar TMS 30572), the influence of defoliation time and the chemical composition of the leaves obtained when harvested and stored as dry season forage for small ruminants. Five defoliation treatments (0, 4, 5, 6 and 7 months after planting) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Cassava yielded an average of 925 kg DM/ha of leaves with a corresponding crude protein level of 20%. The cassava tuber yield was 11,966 kg/ha. Plants defoliated before 6 months after planting had significantly reduced leaf yield. The fiber fractions, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin and hydrocyanic concentrations of the leaves signif. increased with the increase of the defoliation time. Storing the leaves beyond 3 months signif. increased the dry matter conc., while crude protein conc. signif. decreased. In conclusion, the best quality of cassava leaves was obtained when using the defoliation treatment at 6 or 7 months after planting.
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