Effect of Stylo 184 (Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184) and Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus cv. Kent) in diets for growing goats

摘要

TheeffectofdifferentlevelsofStylo184inadietbasedonGambagrasswasstudiedinanexperimentwith36malegoatsoflocalbreed(12.4#177;0.22kg)inLaoPDR.Thegoatswereblockedaccordingtoweightintothreegroupsandallocatedtofourtreatments,consistingof4levels(0,20,30and40%)ofStylo184inthedietbasedonexpecteddrymatter(DM)intake.Thecrudeprotein(CP)contentinStylo184washigherandtheneutraldetergentfiber(NDF)andaciddetergentfiber(ADF)lowerthaninGambagrass.IncreasingtheamountofStylo184resultedinincreasingintakeoftotalDM,CP,NDFandADF.ThehighesttotalDMintake,approaching3%ofbodyweight,wasobtainedinthedietswith30and40%Stylo184.Thehighestdailyweightgainwas70g/daywith40%nbsp;Stylo184,butwasnotsignificantlydifferentfromthedietwith30%ofStylo184(64g/day).TheinclusionofStylo184inadietbasedonGambagrassimprovedthequalityofthediet,whichresultedinhigherintakeandbettergrowthrate.