HEAVY METALS ASSESSMENT OF WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS COLLECTED FROM OHAJI, IMO STATE
Abstract
Abstract
Ensiling offers a practical solution to preserve surplus forage and maintain its nutritional quality during seasonal scarcity, impacting livestock production; this study investigated ensiled Cenchrus purpureus and Pueraria phaseoloides mixtures, determining their nutrient profile and in-vitro digestibility through harvesting, chopping, mixing, and ensiling in laboratory silos under controlled conditions, with nutrient analysis for CP, DM, ash, EE, NDF, and ADF, in-vitro digestibility assessment using rumen fluid techniques, and gas production measurement over time, data analyzed statistically with significance at P < 0.05; results showed significant differences in CP, DM, ash, NDF, and ADF, but no significant difference in EE or in-vitro digestibility, with Cenchrus purpureus showing higher digestibility and Pueraria phaseoloides enhancing nutrient quality, Pueraria phaseoloides based treatments yielding higher gas production and increased CP, while reducing methane emissions, indicating improved rumen microbial activity; thus, ensiling these mixtures is a viable method for high-quality silage, with Pueraria phaseoloides enhancing protein content and fermentation, improving nutrient utilization, increasing gas production, and potentially reducing methane, benefiting ruminants like West African Dwarf sheep in regions facing forage shortages, recommending further research on optimal mixing ratios and in-vitro studies, and farmer education on ensiling benefits with provision of necessary tools and information.
Keywords: Ensiling, Cenchrus purpureus, Pueraria phaseoloides, nutrient profile, in vitro digestibility, methane emissions,
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