Evaluation of nutritive value and <i>in-vitro</i> degradation of sorghum silage, <i>Moringa oleifera</i> (Moringa) and Sesbania sesban (Sesbania) leaf meals

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the feeding value of Sorghum silage, Moringa oleifera (Moringa) and Sesbania sesban (Sesbania) leaf meals. Certified Sorghum (Ikinyaruka) seeds and Sesbania were cultivated while Moringa leaves were collected from farmers in Kiorimba location in Tharaka Nithi County. Proximate analysis was carried out for Moringa, Sesbania and Sorghum silage. The organic matter ranged from 907.2 g Kg^-1 dry matter (DM) to 928.0g Kg^-1 DM. Crude protein (CP) content ranged from 93.76 g Kg^-1 DM to 288.2g Kg^-1 DM in Moringa meal. Crude Fibre (CF) ranged from 100.17g Kg^-1 DM to 270.8 g Kg^-1 DM. Nitrogen Free Extract ranged from 283.2 g Kg^-1 DM to 475.0 g Kg^-1 DM. Ether extract (EE) ranged from content was 49.6 g Kg^-1 DM to 325.67 g Kg^-1 DM. Neutral Detergent fiber (NDF) was 148.07 g Kg^-1 DM to 570.3 g Kg^{- 1}DM. Acid detergent Fibre (ADF) ranged from 99.2 g Kg^-1 DM to 212.3 g Kg^-1 DM for Moringa meal, SLM, and Sorghum silage respectively. Acid detergent lignin ranged from 57.07 g Kg^-1 DM to245.6g Kg^-1 DM. Fiber content was the highest for all cases in Sorghum silage. The nutritive values of the meals and silage fell within the animal portions as they had a CP of more than 70 g Kg^-1DM, the minimum required for rumen function according to National Research Council (NRC). Amino acids (lysine and methionine) were higher in Sesbania than Moringa. Polyphenols contents were higher in Sesbania while Sorghum silage had the highest rate of degradation at 48hrs. It is concluded that the forage legumes can be utilized to improve animal nutrition.