Abstract
Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz), an annual tropical tuber crop, was nutritionally evaluated as a foliage for ruminants, especially dairy cattle. Cultivation of cassava biomass to produce hay is based on a first harvest of the foliage at three months after planting, followed every two months thereafter until one year. Inter-cropping of leguminous fodder as food-feed between rows of cassava, such as Leucaena leucocephala or cowpea (Vigna unculata), enriches soil fertility and provides additional fodder. Cassava hay contained 20 to 25% crude protein in the dry matter with good profile of amino acids. Feeding trials with cattle revealed high levels of DM intake (3.2% of BW) and high DM digestibility (71%). The hay contains tannin-protein complexes which could act as rumen by - pass protein for digestion in the small intestine. As cassava hay contains condensed tannins, it could have subsequent impact on changing rumen ecology particularly changing rumen microbes population. Therefore, supplementation with cassava hay at 1-2 kg/hd/d to dairy cattle could markedly reduce concentrate requirements, and increase milk yield and composition. Moreover, cassava hay supplementation in dairy cattle could increase milk thiocyanate which could possibly enhance milk quality and milk storage, especially in small holder-dairy farming. Condensed tannins contained in cassava hay have also been shown to potentially reduce gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants and therefore could act as an anthelmintic agent. Cassava hay is therefore an excellent multi-nutrient source for animals, especially for dairy cattle during the long dry season, and has the potential to increase the productivity and profitability of sustainable livestock production systems in the tropics.
Highlights
Cassava or tapioca (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) is an annual tuber crop grow widely in tropical and sub-tropical areas
It has been found that cassava hay harvested at younger stage of growth (3 months) contained protein up to 25% CP
Cassava hay contained condensed tannins(CT) or proanthocyanidin(PC) which were common in tropical plants
Summary
Cassava or tapioca (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) is an annual tuber crop grow widely in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Harvesting of cassava at an early growth stage (3 months) to make hay could reduce the condensed tannin content and increase protein content Harvesting of whole crop at earlier stage and followed by 2 month subsequent cuttings resulted in higher protein to energy ratio (Tables 3, 4). It has been found that cassava hay harvested at younger stage of growth (3 months) contained protein up to 25% CP and with a good profile of amino acids. As presented in table 3 and figure 1, cassava leaf and cassava hay contained relatively high value of nutrients those of protein and amino acid profiles. Condensed tannins(CT) were generally found in higher value in matured cassava leaf but was lower in cassava hay harvested at younger stage. Cassava hay contained condensed tannins(CT) or proanthocyanidin(PC) which were common in tropical plants. These nematode-infected animals exhibited higher requirement of protein and mineral requirements due to loss of endogenous nitrogen (blood, plasma, mucin and sloughed cells) and lowered P adsorption
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