IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF Cynodon nlemfuensis, CASSAVA PEEL and Moringa oleifera LEAVES ENSILAGE MIXTURE AS FEED FOR SMALL RUMINANT

ABSTRACT
The research was carried out on in-vitro evaluation of Cynodon nlemfuensis, Moringa oleifera leaves and cassava peels, ensilage mixture as feed for small ruminants. was carried out in the Animal science Laboratory in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. Five treatments were examined .treatment 1 contains 100% Cynodon nlemfuensis ensilage (200g), treatment 2 contains 170g of Cynodon nlemfuensis + cassava peels (20g) + Moringa leaves (10g), treatment 3 contains Cynodon nlemfuensis (140g) + cassava peels (40g) + Moringa leaves (20g), Cynodon nlemfuensis (100g) + cassava peels (60g) + Moringa leaves (40g) were evaluated, Cynodon nlemfuensis and Moringa leaves were harvested from the University of Benin farm project Ugbowo campus. The Cassava peels were collected from Uselu market, Benin City. thereafter they were washed, air-dried, and ensiled with the Cynodon nlemfuensis and Moringa leaves. The ensiling process lasted for 28 days in an air tight container and no additive was used. The chemical composition (DM, CP, EE, ASH, NDF, ADF) of each treatment in addition to the in-vitro digestibility (%) of the respective treatments was determined, and the results obtained was analyzed statistically using GENSTAT(12th edition) and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) where significant differences existed.