Effect of Cutting Frequency of Cassava Leaves on Composition and Production during the Dry Season

Abstract

Cassava leaves are an alternative feed derived from agricultural crops by-product. This study aimed to determine the effect of cutting frequency on the production and chemical composition of cassava leaves. This study was conducted in the Kwarasan Wetan, Kedungkeris, Nglipar, Gunungkidul during the dry season. Farmland with a size of 18 x 12 m has been planted with cassava plantation 5 months old and was divided into 4 blocks as replication, the size of each block was 18 x 3 m. Each block consisted of 3 treatments with the plot size of each treatment was 6 x 3 m which were cut 1, 2 and 4 times. Each treatment consisted of 12 plants, and each plant was conditioned to have 2 stems and cut with different intensities. Leaves and edibles stem were analyzed. The variables observed were content of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude fiber (CF), crude protein (CP), extract ether (EE), nitrogen-free extract (NFE), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and total digestible nutrients production. The data obtained were analyzed according to the completely randomized design (CRD), the differences between treatments were further tested by Duncan's new multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed that the cutting frequency had a significant effect (P<0.05) on dry matter and total digestible nutrients. The highest dry matter content was shown at 2 times cutting frequency (32.21%) and the lowest crude fiber at cutting 4 times frequency (17.97%). The 2 and 4 times cutting frequencies were able to increase the production of cassava leaves (P<0.05). Based on the results it can be concluded that the most appropriate cutting frequency is 2 times.