Browsing by Author "Gachuiri Charles Karuku"

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    Biomass Yield and Quality of Fodder from Selected Varieties Of Lablab (Lablab Purpureus L) In Nandi South Sub-County of Kenya
    (Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research, 2021) Wangila Anthony Juma; Gachuiri Charles Karuku; Muthomi James Wanjohi; Ojiem John Okeyo
    Low quality feeds is the main challenge ailing livestock production among the small-scale farmers in the tropics. Cheaper sources of alternative high quality fodder supplements are needed to improve livestock productivity. The objective of this study was to determine biomass yield and quality of fodder from selected lablab varieties. Eight lablab varieties namely, DL1002, Ngwara Nyeupe, Echo-Cream, Black-Rongai, Eldo-KtCream, Eldo-Kt-Black1, Brown Rongai and Eldo-Kt-Black2 were established in three sites of Nandi south sub county, Kenya. Randomized complete block design was used at farm level with four replications per site. Data on biomass yield, chemical composition and in vitro-dry matter digestibility of the eight lablab forages was collected. Biomass yield differed significantly among the lablab varieties ranging from 5.6-12.6 t DM/ha across the three sites. Highest biomass yield was recorded for Brown Rongai (12.6 t DM/ha) and lowest with DL1002 (5.6 t DM/ha). Crude protein (CP) content varied significantly between varieties with sites ranging from 19.6- 23.9 g/100g. Highest CP was recorded with Eldo-Kt-Cream and Black Rongai (23.9 g/100g and 23.7 g/100g) across the three sites. For all the varieties, Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ranged from 44.4-48.6 g/100g, acid detergent fibre (ADF) 31.6-35.7 g/100g and acid detergent lignin (ADL) 9.0-11.9 g/100g across the three sites. Highest NDF was recorded with DL1002 (48.6 g/100g), ADF with Eldoret-Kitale-Black2 (35.9 g/100g) and acid detergent lignin with DL1002 (11.7 g/100g). In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) varied significantly between varieties and sites ranging from 67.6-75.7 g/100g between the varieties across the three sites. Eldo-Kt-cream and Black Rongai had the highest IVDMD (75.7 and 74.4 g/100g) across the three sites. Eldoret-Kitale-Cream and Black Rongai varieties had better dry matter yield, crude protein and low fibre fractions compared to the other varieties signifying their potential to be recommended as supplement to low quality fodder by small-scale farmers.
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    Quality of Lablab (Lablab purpureus) Forage Preserved as Hay or Silage
    (Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2021) Wangila Anthony Juma; Gachuiri Charles Karuku; Muthomi James Wanjohi; Ojiem John Okeyo
    Shortage of livestock feeds during the dry season is a major constraint to livestock production in Kenya. This scenario is due to dependence on rain fed forage production resulting in shortages during the dry season and excess during the wet season. This situation can be ameliorated through conservation, but losses occur when forages are conserved. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of on-farm conservation methods on quality of lablab fodder. Fodder from eight varieties of lablab;DL1002, Ngwara Nyeupe, Echo-Cream, Black Rongai, Eldo-Kt-Cream, Eldo-Kt-Black1, Brown Rongai and Eldo-Kt-Black2 were conserved on-farm either as hay or silage. The conserved and fresh fodder were analyzed for dry matter content, crude protein, ash content, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Lablab silage was analyzed for pH and total ammonia nitrogen. Crude protein content declined significantly; by 4.2 g/100 g when fodder was conserved as hay and by 6.0 g/100 g in silage. The NDF content increased significantly by 7.6 g/100g in lablab hay but declined by 4.2 g/100 g in silage while ADF increased by 6.1 g/100 g in hay and declined by 5.0 g/100 g in silage. A significant decline of 3.2 g/100 g of lignin was observed in silage with no difference in the hay. The IVDMD declined significantly by2.8 g/100 g in lablab hay and increased by 4.5 g/100 g in silage. The pH of lablab silage ranged from 4.37 to 4.89 while total ammonia nitrogen ranged from 27 to 41 g/100 g for different lablab varieties. Conservation of lablab as silage was found to be a superior on-farm method compared to hay making.