PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND COEFFICIENT OF PREFERENCE FOR ENSILED GUINEA GRASS-CASSAVA PEEL MIXTURE WITH DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF CENTRO AND DELONIXSEED MEAL

Abstract

Proximate composition and coefficient preference for ensiled guinea grass-cassava peel mixture with different proportions of Centrosema pubescens and Delonix regia seed meal was studied.Guinea grass (GGR) was harvested at 4-weeks regrowth, Centrosema pubescens (CEP) before flowering, wilted chopped to 2-3 cm separately, cassava peel (CAP), Delonix regia seeds are processed to Delonix regia seed meal (DSM), mixed at different proportions (%) to have five (5) experimental treatments: T1 = 100% GGR; T2 = 80% GGR + 10% CAP + 10% CEP; T3= 80% GGR + 10% CAP + 10% DSM; T4 = 70% GGR + 10% CAP + 15% CEP + 5% DSM; T5 = 70% GGR + 10%CAP + 5% CEP + 15% DSM. Twenty five (25) litters paint rubber were used as silos with three replicates in completely randomize design (CRD) and ensiled for 30 days. The CP and NFE significantly (P<0.05) increases, while the CF, decreases (P<0.05) with increasing levels of CEP and DSM in the silage. The coefficient of preference (CoP) was higher (1.24) in T5 compared to other treatments. The preference ranking is 1st–T5, 2nd–T4, 3rd–T3, 4th–T2 and 5th–T1. Conclusively, inclusion of CEP and DSM enhanced the nutrients and CoP of the silage. The T5(70% GGR + 10% CAP + 5% CEP + 15% DSM) is recommended for ruminant famers for dry season feeding.