In vitro evaluation of short duration cassava varieties as livestock feed

Abstract

This study was taken up to assess the nutritional value of short duration cassava varieties, Sree Jaya (V1), Sree Vijaya (V2) and Vellayani Hraswa (V3). The tuber, stem and leaves of above varieties were evaluated by in vitro gas production technique in a 3×3 factorial design. The tuber yield was the highest in V3variety, followed by that in V1and the lowest yield was observed in V2 variety. Irrespective of cassava variety, the total ash, CP, EE and ADL content was highest in leaves. The other cell wall contents were highest in stem portion. Irrespective of the part of plant, the CP and hemicellulose contents were highest in V3. The NDF and ADF content was highest in V1. The protein fractionation revealed that the albumin in V1 was higher than that in V2but comparable with that of V3. The globulin in V1was higher than V3. Reverse trend was observed in case of prolamins. Irrespective of cassava variety, the net gas production (NGP), NDF and true OM digestibility, ME content, methane emission, total and individual VFAs production, fermentation efficiency and efficiency of conversion of fermented hexose energy to VFA energy were highest in cassava tubers followed by stem and lowest was observed in leaves. These parameters were not affected by cassava variety, except that ME was the highest and methane emission was the lowest in V3. It was concluded that Vellayani Hraswa variety and amongst different parts of cassava plant, tubers irrespective of cassava variety were observed to be highly nutritious.