Nutritional Value of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) Pods and Dietary Effects on Physiological Performance of Sudanese Nubian Goats kids.

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST) Hilat Kuku, Khartoum North, Sudan from 2010 to 2012, four experiments were performed. Experiment (1) to study the effect of feeding diets containing graded level of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) pods on the haemto-biochemical parameters and the growth performance of Nubian goats kids. In experiment (2) ruminal liquor was collected from three Kenana steers fitted with rumen cannulae, to determine the effect of Prosopis pods diets on the rumen ecosystem and rumen pH and rumen metabolites. The nutritive value of Prosopis pods and parts (sweet and seed) was determined by in vitro gas production technique in experiment (3) the inoculum was drawn from the cannulated steers. The three steers were used for in sacco determination of the rumen dry matter and protein degradability of Prosopis pods and seeds experiment (4). To evaluate the effect of inclusion of different levels of Mesquite pods (Prosopis juliflora) on some haematological parameters, blood metabolites and serum enzymes activity. Twenty four male Nubian goats kids of less than six months (average initial body weight (13.1±0.37kg) were randomly allotted to four experimental groups of six animals according to randomized-block design. Kids in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were fed a concentrate mixture containing dry powder of mesquite pods at 0, 10, 20 and 30g/100Kg by replacing berseem hay, wheat bran and molasses in the diet. During the seven weeks experimental period, blood samples were taken weekly and were analyzed according to standard analytical laboratory methods. The daily feed intakes and weekly body weight of the goat kids were reported. There was no significant (P>0.05) treatment effect in hematological parameters. However dietary treatment significantly (P>0.05) increased glucose level, which increased with increasing levels of the pods in the diet. Triglyceride, total and direct billirubin concentrations were significantly (P>0.05) decreased. Three steers local Kenana 3- 3.5 years old were fitted with ruminal canulae and were fed Prosopis diets in proportion similar to that fed to the goat kids. The trial was designed according to Latin square design with four treatments and four experimental periods. Each period experimental period lasted ten days. The adaption period was seven days followed by 10 days of sampling. Rumen liquor was taken at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h internal to determine pH, ammonia, and volatile fatty acids concentration, bacterial and protozoal count. The steers were used for collection of rumen liquor for in vitro gas production technique and for incubation of mesquite pods and seeds for in sacco evaluation. Ammonia level 2 hours post feeding was significantly (p< 0.0 5) increased as the level of Mesquite pods was increased in the diet. Other rumen environment parameters did not vary with feeding. Mesquite whole pod, pulp (sweet) and seed were incubated in buffer rumen fluid for 96 hours to determine their gas production, and fermentation parameters by in vitro gas production technique. The cumulative gas production of Mesquite whole pod, pulp (Sweet) and seeds varied significantly (p< 0.0 5). At 3 and 96h the gas production on the pulp (sweet) was the highest (11.17±076 – 56.83±1.75 mg/OM) and the lowest was (4.5±0.50-51.67±0.57 mg/OM) on the seed. Organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolozable energy (ME) were significantly (p< 0.0 5) higher (49.86±0.02% and 7.29±0.03MJ/Kg) on the pulp and were lower (48.56±.085% and 7.20±.14 MJ/Kg) on the whole pod. The chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and in vitro metabolizable energy (IVME), degradation kinetics of mesquite pods has desirable nutritive value. The degradability of Mesquite pods and seeds was evaluated by in Sacco technique following the standard procedure. There was an increase disappearance of DM and CP from the incubated samples over time. The disappearance of DM by 48 hours post incubation was significantly (p< 0.0 5) higher on the pods than that of the seed (67.43±0.43 Vs 59.29±2.94%) and CP was significantly (p< 0.0 5) higher on the seeds than that of the pods (84.00 ± 2.72 Vs 76.07± 2.72%). The soluble fraction (a) of DM of the pods was significantly ( higher than that of the seeds. The insoluble fraction (b) DM of the pods was significantly lower than that of the seeds. At all the known flow rates (0.02, 0.05 and 0.08) the pods registered the highest value for effective degradability in DM and CP. Throughout the period of incubation the disappearance of CP of seed was significantly () highest than the pods. At 24 hrs to the end of the incubation period CP disappearance was > 70% and >80% on the pods and seed respectively. The pods were significantly (p < 0.01) the highest in the CP soluble fraction (a) and the seed was the highest in the CP insoluble fraction (b) and potential degradable fraction. The results showed that Prosopis pods and seeds had a desirable nutritive value and could be considered as feed for ruminants. The animals did not show any signs of illness due to inclusion of Mesquite pods in their feed. Final weight and weight gain did not vary significantly (p< 0.0 5) among the four groups. The daily intake of dry matter (DM) (ME) and (CP) of control group were significantly lower (p< 0.0 5) than of the group fed the Mesquite pods and there were no differences among the groups fed the pods. The control group had the best feed conversion ratio (FCR). Group fed 10% pods had the highest dry matter and protein intake and best feed conversion ration. The inclusion of Prosopis pod up to 30% of the diet of goat kids, did not affect the performance of the animals, their blood constituents and rumen environment.