| Summary: | A double 3 x 3 Latin square was designed to
study the balance of nitrogen (N) in growing Mong Cai pigs
with a live weight averaging 15 kg, fed with graded levels
(0, 15 and 30 % respectively in the diet, in dry basis) of moringa
(Moringa oleifera) foliage meal. The foliage was composed
of terminal branches (30 cm) including leaves and
stems of moringa trees periodically cut within an integrated
system of pig production, where the plants were periodically
fertilized with effluents from biodigesters charged with
pig excreta. Moringa foliage meal determined a slight trend
(p<0.10) towards a reduction in some measured digestive
indexes, particularly in DM and organic matter, but not in
rectal digestibility of crude fiber and N (average of three
treatments, 43.0 and 72.7 % respectively). The N balance
seemed to have a positive influence of the introduction of
moringa foliage meal in the diet of pigs. Average value of N
retention was 9.23 g/animal per day, and retention as percentage
of intake was from 41.0 to 47.4 % and as percentage
of digestion, from 55.7 to 65.8 % (in both cases, p<0.05).
According to the herein showed data, moringa foliage meal
may constitute an important ingredient in the diet of growing
pigs, as a protein source for the animal.
|
|---|