N-vitroGas Production Parameters and Degradability of Diets Containing Graded Levels of Stem-Treated Cashew Nut Shell

Abstract

Four (4) concentrate diets were prepared containing 0%, 10%, 15% and20% levels of cashew nut shell coded as T1, T2, T3 and T4 , samples of the diets were sent to the laboratory for in-vitro gas production and digradibility procedure accounting to the method of Babayemi and Bamikole (2006). The incubation procedure was as reported by Menke and Stengas (1998). In-vitro gas production, organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, short chain fatty acids and methane production were measured. Methane production was measured as reported by Fievez et al (2005) organic matter digestibility was estimated as established by Menke and Stengas (1998) short chain fatty acid was calculated as reported by Getachew et al (1993) using 24 hours post inenbation parameters.All the invitro parameters were not significantly (P>0.05) different. IVGP ranged from 11.33-18.67, ML/200 mg DM. ME ranged from 4.87 - 5.90 MJ/Kg DM, OMD ranged from 38.17 % - 44.37 % SCFA, ranged from 0.21 - 0.39 µmol and methane production ranged from 5.33 - 6.67 mL/200 mg DM all the values did not follow any definate trendThe methane production was fond to be generally low in all the treatments. It was therefore concluded that the diets were suitable for ruminant feeding and also safe for the environment.Further experiment focusing on the methane production of these diets, was recommended.