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Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol. 11(3), pp. 163-168, 2021
ISSN: 2276-7770
Copyright ©2021, the copyright of this article is retained by the author(s)
https://gjournals.org/GJAS
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Effects of supplementation with Zornia glochidiata Seeds on Feed Intake, Nutrients Digestibility and Sudan Desert Bucks Performance in Kordofan, Sudan
Salah Basar Hammad Dahia1, Suleiman Eshag Abdalla Mohamed1, Musa Ahmed Musa Tibin2 and Jumaa Barram Jadalla3
1 Department of Animal production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Dallanj, Sudan.
2 Department of Animal production, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental studies, University of Sallam, Alfula, Sudan.
3 Department of Animal production, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental studies, University of Kordofan, Sudan.
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article No.:092721096
Type: Research
Full Text: HTML, EPUB
This study was conducted in North Kordofan State during March-June 2017, to study the effects of supplementation of Desert bucks on sorghum straw with Zornia glochidiata seeds on voluntary dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and body weight change. Twelve Desert bucks at 7 to 9 months old with an average weight of 12.500 + 0.250 kg were divided into three similar groups. Each animal was housed in a separate barn with feeding and drinking troughs, and the animals were ear-tagged to facilitate identification during treatments. The bucks were treated against external and internal parasites using broad-spectrum anthelmintics. They were also weighed at the beginning of the experiment and once a week until the end of the experiment. The first ten days were considered an adaptation period and the experiment lasted for 60 days. Feed ingredient samples were analyzed using proximate analysis. In vitro and In vivo digestibility coefficients were determined in laboratory and using total feces collection method, respectively. The experiment was that of complete randomized design and the data was analyzed via analysis of variance. The results of the study showed that feed intake of the group supplemented with the concentrate ration and Zornia glochidiata seed was significantly (P<0.01) higher than the intake of the group on sorghum straw alone. The results of the chemical analysis indicated higher protein, ether extract and the nitrogen-free extract in Zornia glochidiata seeds and the fiber was low while high fiber content and low CP, EE and NFE in sorghum straw. In Vitro and In Vivo digestibility showed higher values in the group supplemented with the concentrate ration and Zornia glochidiata seeds than on sorghum straw alone. The mean weight gain was higher in the concentrate ration and Zornia glochidiata group than in the sorghum straw group. The study concluded that supplementing bucks on sorghum straw with Zornia glochidiata seeds could increase intake, digestibility and better weight similar to supplementation with the concentrate ration than the group that were fed straw. The study recommended conducting a comprehensive research to determine the nutritive value of the Zornia glochidiata seeds with other animal species.
Accepted: 28/09/2021
Published: 03/10/2021
*Corresponding Author
Jumaa B. Jadalla
E-mail: jumaaaringola2000@ gmail.com
Keywords: Desert Goats; Nutrition; Zornia glochidiata; supplementation
    
INTRODUCTION
Sudan is considered one of the richest Arab and African countries with its large animal population of cattle, sheep, goats and camels. Recent estimates have shown that the country owned about 103 million heads (30 million head of cows, 37 million heads of sheep, 33 million goats, 3 million heads of camels),in addition to 4 million heads of equine species, 45 million poultry and fish estimated at 100 thousand tons for internal fisheries and 10 thousand tons for marine fisheries, as well as large number of wild animals(EL Hag et al., 2010).
The large population of goats in Sudan is raised under different production patterns mainly dependent on natural vegetation. They are raised mainly for dairy production, in addition to being a main source of meat in villages. They are suitable for breeding in areas with harsh natural and climatic conditions (Information Center, Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, 2016).However, despite of these numbers, contribution of goats and to the production and marketing of red meat is limited due to its unpalatable smell, especially in adult animals, in contrast to their counterparts of lamb and cows (Birer et al., 2014).
Goats are of great economic importance, especially in tropical areas where climatic changes are frequent and goats are characterized by early productive age (the first year of life), short gestation period not exceeding five months, and low production cost compared to other small ruminants. Their meat production in Africa alone is half a million tons, equivalent to 74.3% of the total meat production in the world (Rye et al., 1992).
The main constraints for sustainable livestock animal production are poor genetic characteristics of the breeds, diseases marketing and most importantly feed shortage and high cost. Livestock species are largely dependent on natural grazing for their requirements of nutrients needed for different production functions (Jadalla 1995). The biomass from range lands is only of good quality during the short rainy season (3-4 months) and afterwards it becomes low quality roughage that cannot support maintenance requirements of the animals dependent on it let alone production requirements(Mohamed and Salih,1991). Supplementation is needed during gestation, milk production, growth and other functions. Supplements are obtained at very high cost and sometimes ingredients used for ration formulation are either imported or competed for between humans and animals and not available in sufficient quantities (Jadalla et al., 2012).
Some range plants and tree produce substantial amounts of seeds and pods that can be used as supplements for animals. No studies are carried out to examine suitability of such feed sources for supplementing livestock on low quality roughage.
The objective of the study
The overall objective of research in this field is to contribute towards development of sustainable livestock production systems based on available resources. In particular, this study aims to understand the effect of supplementation of goats on sorghum straw with Zornia glochidiata seeds on:
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
The state of North Kordofan is located between latitudes 12-40-17-20 north and longitudes 28.40-32.20. El-Obeid is the capital of the State with an area of ​​840-190 km2.The main occupation for the inhabitants of the city is provision of services and marketing of agricultural products in the city while rural inhabitants are mostly farmers and agro-pastoralists.
The state is generally characterized by its location in the African Sahelian region and can be divided into Desert climate that covers the northern parts of the state, characterized by high temperatures and low rainfall, with averages less than 50 mm per year. The desert region is relatively lacking vegetation, which resulted in the spread of the desert encroachment and sand. This region is followed by the climate of semi-desert. It covers the middle and southern part of the state and characterized by high temperatures and the amount of rain ranges between 50 to 150mm per year approximately. Some thorny shrubs are spread in this area in addition to seasonal weeds that provide natural pasture for animals, and the arable soil has of low fertility.
The livestock herding is considered one of the important economic activities, as 85% of the herders are nomads who depend in their social and economic life on animals that include sheep, cows, camels and goats. The total livestock in the state is 445,391 heads, according to the latest livestock census with goats being most important species raised. The total arable area is 24 million acres, of which 4,014,500 acres are independent. The state produces a number of crops, including corn, groundnuts, millet, sesame, hibiscus, melons, gum Arabic, sorghum and others.
The experimental feed
Conventionally, rations used for feeding growing and fattening small ruminants are formulated using sorghum grains, sesame or cotton seed sunflower or groundnut seed cakes from oil pressing mills, sorghum or wheat bran, oyster, limestone or any source for minerals as well as the common salt. Chemical composition of the mentioned ingredients is presented in table (1). The ingredients are increasing getting expensive and are competed for between humans and animals for food. Their production, especially grains is largely affected by amount of rainfall.
There is an urgent need for searching for new ingredients that are of good nutritive value, safe, available in sufficient quantities and can easily be obtained. Some range plants and tree produce large amounts of seeds and pods that are not largely examined for using as alternative ingredients in livestock and poultry ration. Zornia glochidiata is one of those promising species and it produces large amounts or seeds every rainy season.
Table( 1) chemical composition of the ingredients used in rations
Ingredients
DM
OM
CP
CF
EE
NFE
ASH
Sorghum grains
92.52
88.77
14.47
2.3
2
3.8
Groundnut seed cake
90.52
79.55
33.30
6.5
4.5
1.44
10.97
Wheat bran
90.38
85.38
16.92
12.5
4
0.13
5.4
Limestone
95
–
Salt
97
Sorghum straw
90.84
77.89
8.40
35.13
1.23
19.38
12.95
Zornia glochidiata seeds
87
29
21
32
5
8
Table( 2). The chemical composition of the rations used in feeding bucks
Nutrients
I
II
III
91.514
92.51
89.66
81.88
19.19
22.76
8.48
16.30
10.38
25.13
3.13
8.37
52.89
50.37
41.38
10.65
10.63
13.95
I concentrate ration II Zornia glochidiata seeds III sorghum straw
Zornia glochidiata seeds were collected from the natural pastures of the state. The sorghum straw was secured from farmers near the site. The chemical composition of the ingredients and the feed used for ration formulation were analyzed and the calculated nutritional values of the feedstuff used in the experiment are shown in Table (1).
Experimental animals
The experiment was conducted in a special pens prepared for the purpose in El-Obeid city, starting in May 2017, where each of the experimental animal was housed in a separate pen. The experiment included 18 heads of male Desert goats aged 6-9 months and 12.5 kg. The animals divided into three groups with an average of 12.500 kg. The pens were provided with feeders and drinkers and water was provided continuously. The animals were ear tagged to facilitate identification during treatments. The goats were vaccinated against the endemic diseases in the study area, and the animal was given a broad-spectrum anthelmintic. Mild disease cases were treated with antibiotics. The animals were weighed at the start of the experiment and once every week until the end of the research period. The consumption of feed (sorghum straw, Zornia glochidiata seeds and the ration) was estimated and drinking water was supplied in sufficient quantity.
Monitoring Feed intake and body weight change
Feed was provided daily in the morning at seven o’clock, with a weight of half a kilogram of concentrated feed or Zornia glochidiata seeds. The straw was provided ad libitum for the three groups. Ten days were allowed as adaptation period before taking data on feed intake and weight change. The second group was supplemented with Zornia seeds while the third group was offered concentrate ration.
Chemical analysis and in vitro digestibility Determination
Table (3).In vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility as affected by intake of Zornia glochidiata seeds
SE
Organic matter
Dry Matter
Feed
72
68
Zornia seeds
51
46
Sorghum straws
70
65
Concentrate supplementation
Table (4). Apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients of Nutrients of sorghum straw alone and when supplemented with Zorina seeds
Standard Error
Conc.
3.4+
67
45
Dry matter
1.5+
71
49
2.5+
55
4.5+
48
34
5.6+
80
60
77
56
Proximate analysis of Zornia glochidiata seeds, sorghum straw and ingredients used in ration formulation was conducted according to the methods described by AOAC (2000). In vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility was carried out using methods described by Telly and Terrie (1963).
Statistical analysis
The experimental data were analyzed using an analysis of variance to compare three treatments and the experiment was designed as a complete randomized design using the ANOVA test and least significance, LSD, method to detect differences a according to Steele and Torrie (1996).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The effect of intake of Zornia glochidiata seeds on feed intake of Goats
It was found that the dry matter intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher for the group that was supplemented with the concentrate ration followed by the intake of those of sorghum straw and Zorina seeds and lastly those of fed on sorghum straw only. The goat groups consumed 750, 730 and 583 g/day for group supplemented with concentrate ration (I), with Zornia glochidiata seeds ( II) or sorghum straw alone (III), respectively. The increase in the dry matter intake in the group I and II could be justified by the higher protein content in Zornia glochidiata seeds and the ration unlike the sorghum straw that was very low in its CP content. This is in agreement with what was reported by McDonald et al., (2010) that high protein leads to faster digestion in the ruminants and increases the consumption of feed. Concentrates sometimes lead to a decrease in the digestibility of fiber, but this is significant when these concentrates are high in starch such as food grains.
Effects of Zornia glochidiata intake seeds on in vitro digestibility
The study indicated that In vitro digestibility of dry matter was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the group that was supplemented with concentrate ration and Zornia glochidiata seed than those of sorghum straw only. The digestibility coefficients were 68, 65 and 46%, for the group on the straw and concentrate ration followed by those supplemented with Zornia glochidiata seed and on sorghum straw alone, respectively. Also, the digestibility of organic matter was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the group fed sorghum straw supplemented with a ration followed by the group supplemented with Zornia glochidiata seeds and the lowest feed intake was in a group on the sorghum straw alone. Feed organic matter digestibility was 72,70 and 50% for group I,II and III , respectively. Similarly this superior digestibility for the supplemented ration and seed might be attributed to high-protein for concentrated ration and Zornia glochidiata seeds that improved rumen ecosystem for microflora growth and feed digestion. These results are similar to those reported by Mohamed (2015) who observed that intake of protein rich tree pods led to a significant increase in the dry matter ingested, an increase in the digestibility of nutrients in the feed, as well as a significant increase in weight and daily gain in desert goat goats.
In vivo Nutrients Digestibility as affected by intake of Zornia glochidiata seeds
The nutrients digestibility of the nutrients of the goat groups as affected by ingestion of Zornia glochidiata seeds have shown that the digestibility of the dry matter increased from 45% when only sorghum was fed to goats to 65 and 69% when the goats were supplemented with Zornia glochidiata and concentrate ration, respectively. Similarly organic matter digestibility increased from 49% to 67 and 71% upon supplementation. Digestibility of crude protein also increased from 55 % for sorghum straw to 65 and 70 % when goats were supplemented with Zornia glochidiata seeds and concentrate ration respectively. It was observed that crude fiber digestibility was low when the straw was the only feed for the goats and increased upon supplementation with Zornia glochidiata seed and the concentrate ration but it was observed that the Zornia glochidiata seeds enhanced CFD better than the concentrate ration. The crude fiber digestibility was 34, 48 and 55 % for ration for sorghum straw, supplemented with Zornia seeds and with concentrate ration, respectively. The decreased CFD is attributed to the high content of starch in the concentrated that suppressed bacterial activity leading low fiber digestibility and this in line with McDonald et al,(2010) who reported similar observations. Nitrogen free extract digestibility was lower for the group on the sorghum straw alone and increased in groups supplemented with Zornia glochidiata seeds and the concentrate ration but there were no significant differences were observed between the latter two feed types in digestibility improvement. The digestibility coefficient values were 56, 45 and 67 % for groupI, II, III, respectively. Ether extract digestibility was the best when goats were fed the sorghum straw supplemented with Zornia glochidiata seeds followed by that of concentrate ration and was the lowest when the straw was fed alone. The digestibility coefficient values were77, 60 and 80 % for group I, II, III, respectively.
The effect of intake of Zornia glochidiata seeds on the performance of Desert goat goats
The goat groups fed sorghum straw and supplemented either concentrate ration or Zornia glochidiata seeds had better weight gain at the end of the experimental period than the group that was left on sorghum straw alone. The reason for this increase in weight gained is due to the increase in the feed intake, improved nutrients digestibility and good supply of mineral elements needed for growth and fattening especially crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, and the last two sources of energy necessary for growth and fattening. These results are similar to those reported by Mohamed (2015) who conducted an experiment by supplementing Desert bucks on natural grazing similar to the straw with Dichrostachy scinerea pods rich in crude protein, ether extract and starch and found that weight gains was similar to that of supplementation with concentrate ration. As reported also by Dahia (2015), an increase in the intake of feed, nutrients digestibility and weight gain could be attained by feeding desert bucks on sorghum straw with good quality roughage such as groundnut haums and Ailanthus excels arather that the expensive rations formulated using grains and oil seed cakes. Najla (2013) found that the pods and leaves of Acacia mellifera could lead to a significant increase in the weight of Desert goats.
General performance of the goat groups as affected by intake of Zornia glochidiata seeds
Table (4) summarizes the results of the experiment on performance of the three experimental goat groups as affected by supplementation with Zornia glochidiata seeds. Three experimental animal groups were fed sorghum straw ad libitum and one group was supplemented with Zornia glochidiata seeds and the second with a concentrate ration that is conventionally offered for bucks and the last group was left without supplementation. The initial weight was similar with an average of 12,250 + 0.250 kgand during 60 days their feed intake, live body weight and general performance was monitored. The total feed intake during the trial period was 35 kg for the group on sorghum straw only group versus 45 and …kg for the group supplemented with Zornia glochidiata seeds and the concentrate ration respectively. Hence having the daily feed intake being 583 and 750 g and730g for group I, II, and III , respectively. The final live body weight gain was 9.166, 25 and 30..833g/dfor group I, II, and III , respectively.
The effect of intake of Zorniaglochidiata seed digestibility
The digestibility of the nutrients as determined via total fecces collection method was found being higher in the groups that were on the sorghum straw and supplemented with concentrate ration and the Zornia glochidiata seeds than consuming the straw alone. The reason for the improved digestibility coefficients observed in this study might be attributed to the optimal rumen ecosystem for the microflora to grow and digest feed offered especially roughage. The reason for this excellent quality of digestive results is due to the containment of the Zornia seeds of higher protein % of good availability of protein, minerals and soluble sugars according to the results of the approximate analysis.
Table (6).General performance of Goats fed sorghum straw alone or supplemented with Zornia seeds
Supplemented with ration
Supplemented with Zornia
Sorghum alone
Parameters
6
No of Animals
Days on trial
11.25
11.35
Initial weight
13.100
12.850
11.800
Final weight
35
Total feed intake(kg/60d)
750
730
583
Daily feed intake(g/d)
30..833
25
9.166
Live weight change (g/d)
CONCLUSIONS
The study concluded that supplementation of Desert bucks on sorghum straw, poor roughage that available in large quantities as crop residue after harvesting this cereal grain crop with Zornia glochidiata seeds could improve utilization and the DM intake, In vitro and in vitro digestibility of nutrients was nearly similar to the values obtained through supplementation with concentrate ration conventionally prepared for fattening small ruminants. Supplementation with Zornia glochidiata seeds reduced significantly feeding cost hence making possible production of low price meat from Desert goats. It is recommended that more studies be conducted to use seeds for ration formulation in replacement of ingredients conventionally used for ration formulation that are expensive and sometimes competed for between humans and animals. It is also recommended that the plant species be cultivated for fodder and seeds production. Anti-nutritional factors that might be present in Zornia glochidiata biomass and seed since this plant is known for making nutritional disorder at some growth stage.
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Cite this Article: Dahia SBH; Mohamed SEA; Tibin MAM; Jadalla JB (2021). Effects of supplementation with Zornia glochidiata Seeds on Feed Intake, Nutrients Digestibility and Sudan Desert Bucks Performance in Kordofan, Sudan. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences 11(3): 163-168.
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