Effect of using different levels of cassava meal in a concentrate cassava peel diet on chemical composition, in vitro gas production, and rumen fermentation

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate effects of using different levels of cassava meal in a concentrate cassava peel diet on chemical composition, in vitro gas production (IVGP) and rumen fermentation. The treatments applied were: A=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (70%)+cassava leaves (5%)+moringa leaves (5%); B=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (60%)+cassava leaves (10%)+moringa leaves (10%); C=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (50%)+cassava leaves (15%)+moringa leaves (15%) cassava meal; D=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (40%)+cassava leaves (20%)+moringa leaves (20%); E=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (30%)+cassava leaves (25%)+moringa leaves (25%) with 3 replications arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD). The result showed that the increasing levels of cassava meal in the ration significantly increased organic matter (OM) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) content (P<0.05), but reduced crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents. Similarly, a significant increased (P<0.01) were found in values of cumulative in vitro gas production, dry matter and organic matter digestibility, but decreased NH3 concentration (P<0.05) due to the increased of cassava meal. It is concluded that increasing levels of cassava meal in concentrate has led to higher OM content of the ration and being available for rumen fermentation.