Metabolized energy values of succulent leaf meal of Vernoma amygdalina mixed with Musa sapientum leaf meal on performance of growing pigs

This study investigated the metabolized energy values of succulent leaf of Vernoma amygdalina (Bitter leaf meal) mixed with Musa sapientum leaf (Banana leaf meal) (BBLM) on performance of growing pigs. The experiment was conducted at the Swine Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 40 large white breeds of pigs (growers) were used for the study. The pigs were divided into 5 groups based on average initial weights (20 to 25 kg) and each group of grower pigs were respectively allotted to each of the five treatment diets using a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment group contained 2 replicates of 4 pigs (2 males and 2 females). These pigs were fed twice daily and water supplied was given ad libitum. The treatment diets consisted of BBLM at 0 (control), 20, 40, 60 and 80%. The 50:50 ratios of banana leaf and bitter leaf meal were derived by equal weighing (kg) of the two test ingredients percentage in the diet using a manual scale. All diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric. During the feeding trial, daily feed consumption, metabolized energy values, weight changes, and nutrient digestibility were determined and recorded for all the levels, while weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were estimated to assess performance of the weaner pigs. The results revealed that metabolized energy values of BBLM as shown in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 obtained in this study were significantly (p<0.05) increased in each of the diets. The reason for the significant increase was as a result of the presence of banana leaf meal in the feed formulation due to its high fibre content. The results from the study also showed significant (p<0.05) differences on the performance characteristics of grower pigs. It was found that animals on 80% diet gave the best performance compared to other diets in final weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio (25.67 kg, 2.06 and 2.52) respectively. There were significant differences (p<0.05) on the nutrient digestibility of the pigs. It was concluded that the metabolized energy values of BBLM increases as the level of inclusion were higher and as such can completely replace maize as a source of energy without adversely affecting the overall growth performance of the pigs.