Trichanthera Research Articles

Methylene blue adsorption by chemical-activated Trichanthera gigantea leaf

ABSTRACT This study investigated the potential of NaOH-treated Trichanthera gigantea leaf (TGL) powder as a sustainable, low-cost biosorbent for methylene blue (MB) removal from wastewater. Characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques confirmed favorable morphology, identifying micropores, suitable functional groups, notable surface area, pore volume, and elemental diversity. Batch experiments systematically investigated the influence of operational parameters, including contact time, initial MB concentration (5–35 mg/L), pH (2–10), and biosorbent dosage (2–10 g/L) on adsorption performance. The Langmuir isotherm model best represented the experimental data (R² values of 0.993 and 0.9725), indicating favorable adsorption (RL < 1) and maximum MB adsorption capacities of 0.822 and 0.330 mg/g for treated and untreated TGL, respectively. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) results further identified the most significant factors influencing MB biosorption. These findings highlight the potential of NaOH-treated TGL powder as an effective and eco-friendly solution for removing MB dye from industrial effluents, contributing to sustainable wastewater treatment and environmental protection.

Bio-Organic Inputs, Height of Tier and Stocking Density: Their Effects on the Production Performance and Egg Quality of HISEX Layer Chicken

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of using natural bio-organic supplements, varying cage heights, and different stocking densities on the egg-laying performance and egg quality of layer chickens at the Poultry Project for Layer Chicken of JRMSU- Tampilisan Campus in Zamboanga del Norte. The study involved 162 eight-month-old layer chickens divided into six groups and replicated thrice. These chickens were housed in cages of different heights and stocking densities to evaluate their impact on egg production and quality. The results demonstrated that providing chickens with fermented plant juice in their water, derived from madre de agua (Trichanthera gigantea), significantly influenced egg weight and resulted in higher returns above feed and supplement costs. Furthermore, maintaining the cages at a height of 3 feet proved optimal for egg weight. The number of birds in a cage also played a significant role, with four birds per cage affecting egg production and feed and water intake. Interestingly, cages housing three birds exhibited the best feed conversion ratio. Regarding egg quality, the natural supplements did not yield significant differences, but cage height influenced the weight of the eggshells, favoring the 3-foot height. Moreover, the number of birds in a cage impacted the thickness of the yolk. Overall, the study underscored the crucial role of natural supplements, cage height, and stocking density in achieving optimal egg production and quality from layer chickens.

The effects of increasing concentrations of <i>Trichanthera gigantea</i> leaves in pellets on the nutritive value and short-term intake of diets of grass plus pellets offered to lambs reared under tropical conditions in the Caribbean

There is currently limited information on the benefits of increasing the concentration of Trichanthera gigantea leaves in pelleted diets offered to lambs reared under tropical conditions in the Caribbean. Twelve crossbred Barbados Blackbelly rams aged 5 months were used to determine the effects of increasing the concentrations of T. gigantea in pelleted diets, on the nutritive value and intake of grass forage plus pellets offered to lambs. Animals were randomly assigned to a basic diet (4 kg) of chopped Cenchrus purpureus plus 1 of 6 pelleted diets (500 g) comprised of either 100% intact commercial pellets or a pelleted mixture of ground commercial pellets and ground (dry fallen) T. gigantea leaf in the following ratios (T. gigantea leaves:ground commercial pellets): 20:80 (T20); 40:60 (T40); 60:40 (T60); 80:20 (T80); and 100:0 (T100). Total intakes of forage and pellets (TPI) were measured at the end of each day during a period of 7 days, and the average daily nutrient intakes of the different treatment diets were calculated. Overall, there was no significant difference in the intakes of pellets containing 0 to 80% T. gigantea leaves (P>0.05) but intakes of pellets comprising 100% T. gigantea leaves were significantly lower (P<0.0001). Both CP and soluble protein intakes declined progressively as the percentage of T. gigantea leaves in the pellets increased. While level of T. gigantea leaves in pellets fed to lambs did not generally affect total intakes of pellets, grass, or grass+pellets, animal performance on these various rations cannot be assumed to be similar until longer-term feeding studies have been performed, as reduced protein and energy concentrations in the pellets could significantly lower weight gains as level of leaf in the pellets increased.

Produktivitas Tanaman Trichanthera gigantea pada Berbagai Taraf Naungan dan Pupuk Kandang Kelinci

Sebagian besar tanaman pakan ternak (TPT) dikembangkan di lahan marjinal dan integrasi dengan tanaman pangan maupun perkebunan. Trichantera gigantea (TG) merupakan tanaman pakan ternak (TPT) yang termasuk legum pohon dengan kandungan nutrisi cukup baik dan toleran naungan. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh interaksi antara naungan dengan pemberian pupuk kandang terhadap produktivitas dan karakteristik pertumbuhan tanaman Trichantera gigantea (TG). Rancangan yang digunakan adalah rancangan acak kelompok (RAK) faktorial dengan dua faktor. Faktor pertama adalah perlakuan naungan yaitu 0, 36, dan 72%, dan faktor kedua adalah dosis pupuk kandang yaitu 0, 250, dan 500 g per tanaman, masing-masing perlakuan diulang sebanyak tiga kali. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tinggi tanaman, jumlah daun, dan bobot biomassa segar Trichantera gigantea tertinggi dicapai pada perlakuan naungan 72% dan dosis pupuk kandang 250 g per tanaman, berturut-turut sebesar 64.25 cm, 60.75 helai, dan 113.50 g per tanaman.
 Kata kunci: naungan, pertumbuhan, produksi, pupuk kandang, Trichanthera gigantea

GROWTH PERFORMANCE, HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF PEKIN DUCKS FED WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF TRICHANTHERA GIGANTEA LEAF MEAL

This study was conducted to determine the effect on the growth efficiency, hematological profile, and sensory characteristics of pekin ducklings of various levels of trichanthera gigantea leaf meal (TGLM) Ducklings were distributed in 4 tests, with 10 ducks per sample repeated thrice. Treatments were 0 percent TGLM (control) T1: T2-5 percent TGLM: T3-10 percent TGLM and T4-15 percent TGLM. Data were analyzed using Variance Analysis ( ANOVA). ANOVA showed significant results (P

EFFECT OF CUTTING INTERVALS ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF THE GREEN FODDER TRICHANTHERA GIGANTEA

This study was aimed to determine the effect of cutting intervals on leaf yield and quality of the green fodder Trichanthera gigantea used as feed material, mostly in poultry and rabbit diets, in order to improve farm animal products (such as meat and egg). This study included five different formulas (NT) representing five different cutting intervals, namely: NT1: 40 days, NT2: 50 days, NT3: 60 days, NT4: 70 days and NT5: 80 days of cutting intervals. All treatments were allocated in a complete block randomized design; each treatment was repeated 5 times. The other factors such as plantation density, cutting height and fertilizer dosage were similar among the treatments. The obtained results showed that from NT1 to NT5, the leaf dry matter yields were 7.34, 12.13, 12.41, 11.94 and 11.80 tons/ha/year, respectively; crude protein yields were 1.88, 3.13, 3.06, 2.78 and 2.69 tons/ha/year. When the cutting intervals increased from 40 to 80 days, the proportion of dry matter in the fresh leaves increased from 12.91% to 21.04%, crude protein proportion on dry matter decreased from 25.56% to 22.77%; crude fiber proportion on dry matter increased from 9.92% to 12.50%. Based on statistical analysis of dry matter yield and leaf chemical composition of green fodder T. gigantea, it is recommended that the most suitable cutting intervals for Trichanthera gigantea should be 50 – 60 days.

Determination of Optimal Levels of Energy, Protein, and Fiber in the Diets of New Zealand White Growing Rabbits Based on Nutrient-Response Models

A study was conducted to estimate the optimal levels of energy, protein, and fiber in the diets of New Zealand White (NZW) growing rabbits fed on fresh green forage available in North Vietnam. Mathematical modelling of nutrient-response curves was applied for the study. A total of 125 male growing rabbits at 6 weeks of age were randomly divided into 25 groups of 5 each to be fed on diets with an array of different levels of metabolizable energy (ME), crude protein (CP), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) by means of varying the ratio between fiber rich grasses, viz. elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Setaria grass (Setaria sphacelata), or Para grass (Brachiaria mutica), and protein rich forages, viz. water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) vines, sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) vines, or Trichantera leaves (Trichanthera gigantea), in the basal diets. The average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were used as key responses of the rabbits to varied levels of ME, CP, and ADF in the diets. The results showed that the levels of ME, CP, and ADF in the diets strongly affected the ADG and FCR of the rabbits following curvilinear patterns with the highest ADG and lowest FCR when the diet contained 2106-2162 Kcal ME kg-1 DM with 16.5-16.8% CP and 21.9-22.4% ADF. Therefore, these levels of nutrients were considered to be optimal in the diets of NZW growing rabbits fed on local forages.

Extrapolating the bypass potential of treated Madre de agua (Trichanthera gigantea Nees) leaf meal as protein source in Rumen-Fistulated Brahman Cattle

This study assessed the effectiveness of formaldehyde, heat, and tannic acid treatments of madre de agua leaf meal (MALM) in reducing the degradation of dry matter (DMD) and crude protein (CPD) in the rumen for increased supply of bypass protein at the intestinal level. The experiment utilized a rumen-fistulated Brahman bull fed with chopped Napier grass soilage (basal diet) and MALM (test diet) at 70:30 basal:test diet ratio. Nylon bags (porosity of ±53μm) containing the treated MALM were incubated in the rumen for 24, 48 and 72 hours following the “sequential addition” method forin situ degradation measurement. Results showed that DMD of MALM was significantly reduced by formaldehyde treatment after 24-h and 48-h period of incubation than the untreated. This was followed by tannic acid treatment, though the reduction was significant only after 48-h incubation than the untreated. At 72-h period of incubation, DMD remained to be significantly lowest with formaldehyde treatment than the untreated or heat and tannic acid treatments. A similar pattern of differences in DMD rate (%/h) was observed as that of DMD (%). The CPD of MALM was also significantly reduced with formaldehyde treatment after 24-h incubation than the untreated. At 48-h incubation, all treatment methods showed significant protection of protein in MALM over that of the untreated. At 72h, formaldehyde and heat treatments significantly reduced the CPD of MALM compared to the untreated. A similar pattern of differences in CPD rate (%/h) was observed as that of CPD (%). Among treatment methods, the use of formaldehyde is the best, followed by tannic acid treatment, in achieving rumen bypass and promoting greater amino acid supply at the intestinal level.

Effect of partial replacement of commercial sheep ration with Trichanthera gigantea (Nacedero) leaves on feed intake and carcass yield of barbados blackbelly lambs

Effect of partial replacement of commercial sheep ration with <i>Trichanthera gigantea</i> (Nacedero) leaves on feed intake and carcass yield of barbados blackbelly lambs

Efecto De Sobrealimentos A Base De Tres Mezclas Alimenticias (Industrial Y Natural), Sobre La Producción De Leche En Ganado Vacuno (Hostein)

The main objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of three types of superfoods based on three food mixtures (artificial and natural) in the milk production of cattle (Mestiza breed). In the study, there was a reduced milk production due to the difficulties in feeding cattle. Producers use the traditional grass of low nutritional value due to the impossibility of having high cost balances as a basic problem in this preliminary work. Milk production was increased by the use of food mixtures. These mixtures are composed of different percentages of natural pastures (Gliricidia sepium, Trichanthera gigantea, Pueraria phaseoloides and Saccharum officinarum) and artificial foods (mineralized salt and Palmister obtained from palm oil). The best results in milk production occurred in treatments 5 and 6 which significantly outperformed the rest. However, the highest profitability (utility) was reached in treatment 7.

In vivo digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep diets with foliage of fodder trees in substitution for soybean meal

Apparent digestibility and nitrogen (N) balance were evaluated in sheep fed low-quality Cynodon nlemfuensis grass supplemented with different foliages of forage-potential trees. Four male hair sheep were housed in metabolic cages and fed in a Latin Square design with 30 % inclusion of foliage of Erythrina indica (Ei), Moringa oleifera (Mo), or Trichanthera gigantea (Tg) replacing soybean meal. Adaptation and faeces and urine collection periods were 14 and 7 days, respectively. Sheep received 70 g DM/kg/BW0.75 of the diet in order to achieve total consumption of feed. Dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were similar (P > 0.05) among the control, Mo, and Ei diets, while the Tg diet resulted in the lowest (P 0.05) to the control diet. N excreted in faeces was highest (P 0.05) to that found in the control diet. The Mo and Ei diets had similar (P > 0.05) values for the percent of N absorbed by the animals, which was much higher (P < 0.05) than that of the Tg diet. The forage of M. oleifera and Ei can be used in diets at 30 % incorporation to substitute the use of soybean meal in small ruminant production.

Growth Performance of Philippine Native Chicken Fed Diet Supplemented with Varying Levels of Madre de Agua (Trichanthera gigantea Nees) Leaf Meal

This study aimed to assess the effects of different levels of Trichanthera gigantea leaf meal (TGLM) supplementation on the growth performance of Philippine Native chickens fed commercial chicken grower ration. A total of 96 three-month old native chickens of two sexes were randomly distributed to the four treatments with 3 replicates and 4 chickens per replicate in a 2 x 4 factorial in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Under semi-confinement system, the dietary treatments consisted of 0, 5, 10, and 15% levels of TGLM supplementation for 13 weeks. Results revealed that cumulative voluntary feed intake (VFI) increased as TGLM supplementation increased, and was significantly highest with 15% level at weeks 10, 11 and 12. Although differences were not significant except at weeks 4 and 7, there was a decreasing trend in cumulative weight gain (CWG) with increasing TGLM level. Average daily gain (ADG) was not significantly affected by varying levels of TGLM supplementation, and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) showed a decreasing trend as TGLM level increased and was only significantly low (p&lt;0.01) with 15% level at week 7. Comparing between sexes, the males were significantly higher than females in all production performance parameters. Therefore, TGLM is palatable but not adequate enough to supply the nutrients needed for a comparable weight gain with that of 0% supplementation, and a 5 10% inclusion in the diet is recommended.

Economic Potential of Raising Philippine Native Pigs on Trichanthera (Trichanthera Gigantea) Diets

The Philippine Native Pig maintains its niche in the demand for a Filipino delicacy called "Lechon" because of taste and crunchiness. However, commercializing native pigs is constrained by the high cost of feeds. So, these studies were conducted to determine the economic potential of raising native pigs on Trichanthera diets. Results showed that native pigs can be grown with better feed efficiency and lower the feed cost per kilogram weight gain using Trichanthera to replace up to 30% of the commercial rations (Study1). With formulated rations in gabi diets, Trichanthera can be used up to 45% of the diets for economical weight gains (Study 2). Feeding Trichanthera in gabi-corn diets (Study 3) did not significantly affect weight gains up to 45% level in the diets. The feed efficiency was improved and reduced the feed cost per kilogram weight gain up to 30% Trichanthera in the diets. The potential profit based on weight gains less feed cost is consistently increasing (15%, 30%, and 49%) with the increasing level of Trichanthera in the diets. Therefore, raising native pigs on Trichanthera diets is potentially viable both bio-physically and economically. Keywords - Animal Nutrition, Philippine native pigs, Trichanthera gigantea, forage, local feedstuffs, non-conventional feedstuffs, economic viability, feeding trial, experimental design, Tanay, Rizal, Philippines

Respuesta productiva de conejos alimentados con follaje fresco de nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea, Lamiales:Acanthaceae)

Productive response of rabbits fed with fresh leaves of nacedero (Trichanthera gigantea, Lamiales:Acanthaceae). Rabbit production is a viable activity in Costa Rica. It offers consumers a high quality meat, and for farmers a good income with a relatively low investment. Production performance, including weight gain and dressing percentage of rabbits fed with two levels of fresh “nacedero” leaves (Trichanthera gigantea) were evaluated. The experiment was conducted in a commercial farm, using 30 weanling animals (California breed) randomly distributed among three treatments (ten animals per treatment): T1: Control: 100% commercial extruded diet, T2: 85:15, 85% commercial extruded diet and 15% nacedero fresh leaves, T3: 70:30, 70% commercial extruded diet and 30% nacedero fresh leaves. Animals were individually weighed weekly for eight weeks, then slaughtered at 88 days of age and dressing percentage calculated. Significant differences (p&lt;0,05) were found between animals from treatments 1 and 2 compared to treatment 3 according to Tukey test. Treatment 3 showed the lowest final weight (p=0,003), weight gain (p=0,008) and dressing percentage (p=0,002). Animals´ initial weights (included as a covariable) had an important effect in all parameter responses (p=0,02). Average initial weights were 441, 403 and 418 g; weight gain was 19, 19 and 17 g/animal/day and dressing percentage was 55, 54 and 51% for animals from treatments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Dry matter intake was significantly less in animals from treatments 2 and 3 compared to control (p&lt;0,05). It is suggested that 15% of substitution of fresh nacedero foliage in diets for fattening rabbits did not affect productive performance; and improve the use of plants with high potential as forages in productive systems with small animal` species.

Buffer nitrogen solubility, in vitro ruminal partitioning of nitrogen and in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins in leaves of four fodder tree species.

This study explores the chemical composition, buffer N solubility, in vitro ruminal N degradability and in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins in leaves from Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Morus alba and Trichanthera gigantea trees. These tree leaves are a potential protein source for ruminants, but their site-influenced nutritive value is largely unknown. Leucaena leucocephala leaves had the highest N content (42.1g/kg DM), while T.gigantea leaves had the least (26.1g/kg DM). Leucaena leucocephala had the highest buffer solubility index (20%), while 10% of the total N in leaves of the other three species was soluble. The rapidly fermentableN fraction 'a' was highest in M.alba leaves (734.9g/kg DM) and least in T.gigantea leaves (139.5g/kg DM). The rate of fermentation (c) was highest for M.alba (7%/hours) leaves. No significant correlations were recorded between buffer solubility index of N and in vitro ruminal N degradability parameters: a, b, and c. The highest response to tannin inactivation using polyethylene glycol, in terms of percentage increase in 36-hours cumulative gas production, was recorded in M.alba (39%) and T.gigantea (38%) leaves. It was concluded that buffer solubility of N is not a good indicator of ruminal N degradation in the leaves of these tree species. Leaves of M.alba could be more valuable as a source of rapidly fermentableN when animals are offered low-protein, high-fibre diets compared with other tree species evaluated in the current study. However, when feeding M.alba leaves, the role of tannins must be considered because these secondary plant compounds showed significant in vitro ruminal biological activity.

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;In vitro&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; ruminal fermentation of leaves from three tree forages in response to incremental levels of polyethylene glycol

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a phenol binding agent has been used extensively to measure the biological activity of tannins in forage species. The optimum inclusion rate of PEG, per unit weight of sample varies from species to species. Determining optimum inclusion levels can prevent wastage and reduce the cost of diagnosing the biological activity of tannins, especially in developing countries. This study was designed to determine the optimum PEG inclusion levels required to completely ameliorate In vitro ruminal bioactivity of tannins in leaves from Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium and Trichanthera gigantea using the Reading Pressure Technique. Fermentation parameters were generated by fitting gas production data to the Orskov and McDonald (1979) non-linear equation: . An asymptotic response to incremental levels of PEG was observed with cumulative gas production at 48 h post inoculation. The minimum level of PEG required to maximize In vitro ruminal fermentation of tree leaves was found to be 200 mg PEG/g DM for all tree species. Gas production rate constant for the insoluble fraction (c) showed an increase (P In vitro organic matter degradability (iOMD) declined (P In vitro ruminal tannin biological activity in leaves of the three tree species.

In vitro screening of plant lectins and tropical plant extracts for anthelmintic properties

Lectins are plant secondary metabolites (PSM) found in many forages and which may confer anthelmintic properties to gastrointestinal parasites through disrupting the development of parasitic larvae throughout its life cycle. In experiment 1, the ability of the plant lectins jacalin (JAC), concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin E2L2 (PHA-E2L2), phytohemagglutinin L4 (PHA-L4), phytohemagglutinin E3L (PHA-E3L), kidney bean albumin (KBA), Robinia pseudoacacia agglutinin (RPA), Maackia amurensis lectin (MAA), Maclura pomifera agglutinin (MAA), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) to disrupt the feeding of the first stage larvae (L1) of the sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) Teladorsagia circumcincta, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis was investigated using a larval feeding inhibition test (LFIT). Only PHA-E3L, WGA and Con A had a potent effect on disrupting larval feeding of all of the three species of GIN investigated. The lectin concentration required to inhibit feeding in 50% of L1 (IC50) was 7.3±1.2, 8.3±1.4 and 4.3±1.7μg/ml for PHA-E3L; 59.1±32.4, 58.7±11.9 and 8.1±7.0μg/ml for Con A and 78.9±11.2, 69.4±8.1 and 28.0±14.1μg/ml for WGA for T. circumcincta, H. contortus and T. colubriformis larvae, respectively (P=0.006). The addition of the lectin inhibitors fetuin, glucose/mannose or N-acetylglucosamine for PHA-E3L, Con A and WGA, respectively, caused an increase in the proportion of larvae that had fed at all concentrations for PHA-E3L only. In experiment 2, the effect of extracts from the tropical plants Azadiractha indica, Trichanthera gigantea, Morus alba, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala on the feeding behaviour of H. contortus L1, was examined. A. indica, T. gigantea and M. alba failed to inhibit 50% of larvae from feeding at concentrations up to 10mg plant extract per ml. In contrast, both G. sepium and L. leucocephala demonstrated a dose-dependent effect on larval feeding with respective IC50 estimates (mean±s.e.) of 0.015mg/ml±0.001 and 3.465mg/ml±0.144, effects which were partly reversed by the inclusion of either the tannin inhibitor polyethylene glycol or the lectin inhibitor Fetuin. These studies demonstrate that plant lectins can have an inhibitory effect on the feeding behaviour of first stage larvae of ovine GIN in vitro. Moreover they also provide novel evidence that lectins may contribute to the anthelmintic properties of some tropical forage plant extracts, such as G. sepium and L. leucocephala.

Efecto de dos enraizadores en tres especies forestales promisorias para la recuperación de suelos

&lt;p&gt;La erosión es uno de los principales problemas que afecta los suelos de ladera en el mundo. Algunas de las especies utilizadas en obras de bioingeniería se propagan por medio de estacas, sin embargo no todas enraízan fácilmente, por lo que es necesario utilizar sustancias inductoras de enraizamiento. En este trabajo, evaluamos dos sustancias promotoras de enraizamiento en estacas de mataratón (&lt;em&gt;Gliricidia sepium&lt;/em&gt;), nacedero (&lt;em&gt;Trichanthera gigantea&lt;/em&gt;) y sauce (&lt;em&gt;Salix humboldtiana&lt;/em&gt;). La investigación se realizó en el municipio de Dosquebradas, Risaralda, a una altitud de 1450 m. Los tratamientos consistieron en la aplicación de un enraizador de síntesis (Hormonagro®), un enraizador natural (extracto de &lt;em&gt;Aloe vera) &lt;/em&gt;y un testigo sin aplicación de inductores. Los resultados obtenidos indican que para las tres especies es necesario emplear estimuladores de enraizamiento. El extracto de &lt;em&gt;A. Vera &lt;/em&gt;produjo un mejor efecto sobre el enraizamiento de las tres especies, siendo más notorio sobre &lt;em&gt;S. humboldtiana, &lt;/em&gt;60 días después de la aplicación&lt;em&gt;. &lt;/em&gt;La especie &lt;em&gt;T. gigantea &lt;/em&gt;no mostró diferencias significativas con respecto a la aplicación de estimulantes de enraizamiento. En cuanto a la tolerancia de las especies al encharcamiento del sustrato de siembra, &lt;em&gt;S. humboldtiana &lt;/em&gt;presentó mayor tolerancia mientras que &lt;em&gt;T. gigantea &lt;/em&gt;presento los mayores problemas de pudrición.&lt;/p&gt;

Nutritive value of tropical tree leaf meals in adult sows

AbstractTree leaf meals (TLM) are increasingly used in the tropics to feed pigs. The nutritive value of the TLM of cocoyam (Xanthosoma saggitifolium), mulberry (Morus alba) and Trichanthera gigantea, their effect on the digestive tract and their fermentation rate in the large intestine, were determined in adult sows given diets containing 150 or 300 g TLM per kg. The TLM contained from 8·5 to 12·0 MJ digestible energy per kg dry matter (DM) and from 60 to 125 g digestible protein per kg DM. The digestibility was not affected ( P&gt;0·05) by their rate of incorporation in the diet. The apparent ileal protein digestibility of the diets containing 300 g TLM per kg was also determined by the slaughtering method. It reached 80% for the basal diet and 54, 70 and 74% for the Trichanthera-, mulberry- and cocoyam-based diets, respectively. No diet effect ( P&gt;0·05) was observed on the weight and length of the gastro-intestinal tract, with the exception of a heavier caecum in sows given the Trichanthera-based diet ( P&lt;0·01). The pH of the gastric fluid of these sows was also higher ( P&lt;0·001). The fermentation of the dietary fibre in the large intestine was evaluated by the gas technique using syringes. The cocoyam leaves presented the highest amount of total gas produced after fibre fermentation ( P&lt;0·001). The ranking order of gas production was identical to that observed for the digestibility coefficients: Trichanthera &lt;mulberry &lt;cocoyam. In conclusion, TLM can represent up to 0·3 of a diet for sows. Their use in sow nutrition may be considered in tropical regions where protein sources are scarce.

Chemical composition, nutritive value and voluntary intake of tropical tree foliage and cocoyam in pigs

AbstractThe composition of the leaves of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and of two trees (Trichanthera giganteaand mulberry,Morus alba), their nutritive value in pigs and voluntary intake by pigs were determined. The average protein content ranged from 170 to 240 g kg−1dry matter (DM) and that of neutral detergent fibres from 218 to 398 g kg−1DM. The leaves are interesting sources of calcium (up to 69 g kg−1DM), potassium, iron and manganese. The proteins are well balanced in essential amino acids, with lysine ranging from 43 to 57 g kg−1proteins. The apparent faecal digestibility was determined by difference in 35 kg pigs fed a diet containing 35% leaf meal. The digestibility coefficients of DM, N and energy were, respectively, 47–57, 33–36 and 51–53%. The digestible energy value ranged from 1.674 to 2.037 kcal kg−1DM. The voluntary intake ofTrichantheraandXanthosomawas measured in sows weighing 100 kg on average. The intake reached 3.4 kg fresh leaves day−1(0.51 kg DM) and 1.0–1.1 kg dry leaf meal/day. It is concluded that low energy density is the main limiting factor of tree foliage for pig nutrition but that they are good sources of minerals and well‐balanced proteins. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry