Impact of supplementation of Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucacephala tree fodder on the production performance of indigenous goats in Mozambique

Authors : Gracinda MATAVEİA, Carmen Maria Lucas Pedro GARRİNE, Alberto PONDJA, Abubeker HASSEN, Carina VİSSER

Pages : 93-102

View : 31 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2019-04-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation with Leucaena leucacephala insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LL);, and Moringa oleifera insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MO); tree leaves on growth and reproduction performance of indigenous goats in southern Mozambique. Fifty-six indigenous goats with an average age of 8 months and a body weight of 17.57 ± 3.97 kg were randomly divided into seven treatments groups of 4 castrated males and 4 females each. Treatment 0 served as the control group insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Co);, and these animals only grazed on natural pasture without any supplementation. In addition to the natural pasture, three groups received 50 g insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LL 50 );, 75 g insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LL 75 ); and 100 g insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LL 100 ); of L. lecocephala dried leaves, respectively while groups 4 to 6, received 40 g insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MO 40 );, 60 g insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MO 60 ); and 80 g insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MO 80 ); of M. oleifera dried leaf meal, respectively. Leucaena leucocephala contained 23.7% crude protein insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CP); and 11.05 MJ/kg DM of metabolizable energy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ME);, while M. oleifera leaves contained 28.8% CP and 7.61 MJ/kg DM of ME. The study lasted for 16 months from July of 2015 to November of 2016.   Compared to the control, treatment supplementation of the tree leaves, irrespective of level, had a significant effect insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p < 0.05); on the overall body weight gain and the final body weight of the bucks but did not significantly affected the does insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p > 0.05);. No difference could be detected between the final body weight and overall average daily gain insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p > 0.05); based on the supplementation source insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( Leucaena Lecocephala versus Moringa oleifera dried leaf);. Average daily gain insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ADG);, during the dry season, ranged from -7.85 to 10.42 g/day for goats fed LL leaves and from   -7.92 to 13.33 g/day for goats fed MO and these values were higher insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p < 0.05); compared to values recorded for the control goats insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(-36.11 to -20.74 g/day);. All female reproduction efficiency parameters measured such as birth rate, twinning rate, birth weight and weaning were significantly insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p < 0.05); higher in supplemented goats compared to the control goats. Body weights at birth and weaning weight of the offspring of supplemented goats were however not significantly insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p > 0.05); affected by supplementation. The highest survival rate insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(100%); was observed in goats supplemented with Moringa oleifera insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MO 40 );, while the lowest was recorded in goats supplemented with Leucaena leucocephala leaves insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LL 75 );. The results of this study suggest that L. leucacephala and Moringa oleifera tree leaves could be used as supplementation to goats to overcome the adverse effects of seasonal fluctuations in feed quality on growth and reproductive performance . 
Keywords : Fodder trees, Growth, Reproductive, Smallholder, Goats, Supplementation