Evaluation of Nutrient and Anti-Nutrient Content of Ensiled Bamboo Leaves (Bambusa vulgaris) as Dry Season Feed for Ruminants in the Tropics

Abstract

Ensuring year-round access to affordable, high-quality ruminant feed remains a significant challenge, particularly during the dry season. This research adjudges the nutritional value of ensiled Bambusa vulgaris (BV) leaves as a dry-season ruminant feed. Study 1 involved ensiling BV leaves for 21 days with wheat offal (BVWHO), groundnut cake (BVGNC), or no additive (BVNAD). The Second Study assessed silage quality characteristics, while study 3 determined proximate composition (PC) and fiber fractions, study 4 evaluated the anti-nutrient content of all silages. Silage pH ranged from 4.2 to 4.8, and temperatures from 28.5°C to 30.0°C, in BVGNC and BVNAD, respectively. All the silage's physical characteristics presented were good. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in PC, with dry matter ranging from 95.01- 95.72 % and crude fiber values ranged from 23.92- 25.89 % in BVGNC and BVNAD respectively. Crude protein is highest (18.00%) in BVGNC and lowest (17.21%) in BVNAD. Highest (1.43%) ether extract was obtained in BVNAD, while the lowest (1.36%) was recorded for BVGNC. Same trend was observed for ash content, it ranged from 11.33-11.56% in BVNAD and BVGNC respectively. Fiber fractions also differed significantly (P< 0.05), with neutral detergent fiber ranging from 66.30 - 68.17%, acid detergent fiber 43.05 - 44.67% and acid detergent lignin 15.17-15.76% in BVGNC and BVNAD respectively. No significant variations was observed among the means for anti-nutrients content, with tannins ranging from 0.48–0.62%, saponins 2.68–3.35%, oxalates 0.07–0.12% and phytates 0.61–0.93% in BVGNC and BVNAD respectively.. All anti-nutrients investigated fall within the normal range for optimal metabolic activities. It can be concluded ensiled Bambusa vulgaris leaves particularly groundnut cake silage, has potential as alternative feed resource for ruminants during the dry season.