The Impact of Ratio Combination and Treatment of Mathenge (Prosopis Juliflora) On the Performance of Dairy Goats

Abstract

Prosopis juliflora is a drought-resistant, locally available leguminous tree forage that can be used in place of expensive, seasonal and less nutritious feed supplements. The leaves and pods contain crude protein content of 21% and 14% respectively that can meet the demand of a lactating dairy goat of 17%. However, its efficient utilization in animals is hindered by anti-nutritional factors. Treatment of these factors using locally available, relatively cheap and easy to apply methods will enhance efficient utilization of this forage. This study aimed at determining the most digestible ratio combination of P. juliflora leaves and pods (LP) with or without treatment with wood ash or bentonite, and the impact of these binders on its chemical composition. The leaves and pods were combined at ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 treated or untreated. A feeding trial was also undertaken to determine the effect on feed intake, milk production, composition, and mineral content. The results were subjected to a one way ANOVA using the generalized linear model of SAS version 9.4. The most digestible ratio of leaves and pods which was found to be at 75% leaves and 25% pods treated or untreated with wood ash and bentonite was used for the feeding trial. Prosopis juliflora treated with wood ash was more digestible compared to bentonite treated. Wood ash was especially effective on pods producing 32.95ml and 38.61ml of gas at 24 hr and 48 hr respectively which was significantly different to that produced by bentonite which was 30.42 ml and 33.91 ml at 24 hr and 48 hr respectively. Overall leaves (100%) were significantly more digestible than pods (100%) without treatment with 25.15 ml and 24.51 ml gas production respectively at 48 hr. Treatment with wood ash or bentonite had no adverse effects on the proximate composition of P. juliflora LP. Moreover, they were effective in minimizing phenolic compounds. For instance, total extractable phenolics were reduced significantly in leaves from 7.69 g/kg to 5.60 g/kg and 5.39 g/kg with wood ash and bentonite treatment respectively. In pods, they were minimized significantly from 5.51 g/kg to 2.83 g/k and 3.56 g/kg with wood ash and bentonite treatment respectively. On the feeding trial, treated diets had significantly higher intake compared to the untreated (control diets) with 1.90 kg dry matter intake for control, 2.01 kg and 1.96 kg for wood ash and bentonite treated respectively. Milk production, composition and mineral content were also significantly higher in the treated than untreated diets. It was concluded that the use of these natural binders was efficient and was highly recommended as they will enhance usage of leguminous tree forages like P. juliflora that are relatively nutritious and available at any time of the year.