Percentage preference/proximate composition of some plants species used as livestock feed in Idemili South, Anambra State

Abstract

The study assessed percentage preference and proximate composition of some selected plant species in Idemili South Area of Anambra State. Plants were identified and collected for herbarium preparation. A total of 23 different species belonging to 16 families were identified. These consisted of 11 trees, 4 shrubs, 3 herbs and 3 grasses. These plants were harvested, processed and stored separately. A 25 gm portion of each plant was measured and administered to 3 matured goats per day. The feeding trial lasted for 23 days. The frequency and rate of consumption of each plant was determined using a stop watch. The results showed that Manihot esculenta representing 73.3 % was highly preferred plant by all the animals while Colocasia esculenta having 18.7 % was moderately preferred. Proximate composition of the fodder was determined using standard method and results revealed that protein content ranged from 5.85% in Tridax procumbens and 23.86% in Desmodium scorpiurus. Lipid content ranged between 1.31 % and 8.37 % for Carica papaya and Manihot esculenta respectively while crude fibre content ranged from 8.09 to 33.01% in Tridax procumbens and Pennisetum purpureum respectively. The highest ash content (11.28 %) was recorded in Colocasia esculenta while the least level (2.17 %) in Tridax procumbens. Also, moisture content was observed to be highest in Manihot esculenta (10.29 %) and least in Dialium guineensis, while carbohydrate contents ranged between 13.41 % and 67.82 % for Persea americana and Tridax procumbens respectively. It could be concluded that plant species under this study were found to be rich in essential nutrients but Vernonia amygdalina, Amaranthus spinosus, Manihot esculenta, Ficus elasticoides and Milicia excelsa were most preferred plant species by experimental animals. Keywords: Plant species, goat, livestock feed, proximate composition, Idemili South Area