PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

A study was conducted to determine the effects of ensiling on the proximate and mineral composition, anti-nutritional factors and microbial properties of ensiled cassava root-leaf blends at 50:50, 60:40, 70:30 and 80:20 ratios in an air tight sealed bottles and to also determine the blend that could replace maize in swine diet. The data was subjected to one-way analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Results of the study indicated that blend 50:50 had highest value of crude protein 12.96%, while blend 60:40 had highest gross energy value of 4617.17 kcal/kg. Blend 70:30 had gross energy of 4180.95 kcal/kg and crude protein of 10.12%. Results of the mineral composition revealed that blend 50:50 had highest values of calcium 5.96 g/kg and phosphorus 1.98 g/kg. Anti-nutritional factors of the blends were drastically reduced after ensiling. Microbial load of ensiled blends revealed that only blend 70:30 recorded the presence of Lactobacillus spp., while Salmonella spp. was not detected in all the blends. It was concluded that ensiling was effective for removal of anti-nutritional factor, improving chemical composition and hygienic quality of ensiled product. Blend 70:30 was recommended as a replacement for maize in swine nutrition.