Effect of diet containing sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) meal on nutrient utilization and growth performance of indigenous growing pigs

Abstract

Twenty-four (24) indigenous growing pigs were selected and randomly divided into 4 treatment groups consisting of 6 animals in each group penned individually and provided with the facility of separate feeding and watering to each pig. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) meal (roots and leaves at 1:1 ratio) was incorporated in the diet to replace standard pigs grower ration at 0% (G1), 25% (G2), 50%(G3) and 75% (G4). During the feeding trial of 90 days, it was observed that the average dry matter intake was higher in G2 followed by G3 and G1 being the lowest. The feed conversion efficiency and average daily gain decreased as the level of sweet potato meal increased. However there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among the different treatment groups in regards to feed conversion efficiency and average daily gain. From the digestibility trial, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the digestibility co- efficient of dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre among the different treatment groups. It is concluded that sweet potato meal can replace standard pig grower ration up to 75% without any adverse effect on growth, feed conversion efficiency and nutrient utilization.