Evaluation of the feeding value of Dichrostachys cinerea pods for fattening pigs in Cuba.
Date
2017
Authors
Reinoso Pérez, Mario
García Díaz, Juan Ramón
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Abstract
Dichrostachys cinerea (L.)Wight & Arn. is a tropical
leguminous shrub widely regarded as an invasive species
in Cuba, after having invaded a significant proportion of its
arable land during the past decades. Concurrently, smallholder
pig producers are highly constrained by the scarcity of protein
feeds. This study aimed to assess the feeding value of D.
cinerea pod meal (DCPM) as an alternative protein supplement
for pigs in Cuban smallholder production systems. An
on-farm feeding trial was carried out with three groups
(N = 10) of growing-fattening pigs over 60 days, where
DCPM replaced 0, 15, and 30% in DM of a dietary commercial
concentrate. Then, in an in vivo digestibility trial with
eight growing pigs, apparent digestibilities of DCPM were
determined for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and
crude protein (CP). Finally, in vitro digestibilities for OM
(fecal and ileal) and CP (ileal) were determined. In the feeding
trial, pig body weight gains were not affected by increased
dietary substitution levels of concentrate for DCPM. Blood
parameters, with a few exceptions, did not show significant
differences among groups. Values for in vivo OM and CP
digestibilities were 40.81 and 50.26%, and substantially
higher than in vitro values. In conclusion, our results showed
that at least 30% of DM in commercial concentrate could be
substituted by DCPM without affecting pig growth performances
under Cuban smallholder conditions. The low digestibility of DCPM is, however, not acceptable for intensive
pig production systems. In vitro enzyme digestibility
methods developed for commercial pig feeds are not suitable
for DCPM without further calibration.
Description
Keywords
Dichrostachys cinerea, In vivo digestibility, In vitro digestibility, Growth trial, Pig, Cuba