An Assessment of Ipomoea asarifolia Leaf Meal as Feed Ingredient in Grower Pig Diet

Abstract

Thirty-two large white X Hamshire hybrid weaner pigs aged 7 weeks with average initial weights of 18kg were used in an 10 weeks feeding trial to study the performance of pigs fed varying levels of Ipomoea asarifolia leaf meal. The 32 weaner pigs were split into 4 groups and assigned to the dietary treatments containing 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% Ipomoea asarifolia leaf meal (IALM) respectively and further replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Feeding and potable water were supplied ad libitum while routine medication and sanitation were scrupulously observed. Live weights were measured at the start of the experiment but weekly thereafter. The initial weights daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per pig were calculated. Final body weights 41.25kg, 40.00kg, 34.75 and 32.00kg for pigs on treatments 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% IALM respectively differed significantly (P<0.05) between treatments. Weights of pigs on diets 0% and 5% IALM did not significantly differ (P>0.05). Feed conversion ratio for pigs on diet 0% and 5% IALM were significantly superior (P<0.05) to those on 10% and 15%. Daily feed intake and feed cost per pig reduced with increasing amount of IALM in the diets and differences between treatment in each parameter were significant (P<0.050. it was found that IALM could be included in weaner pig diets up to 15% level without deleterious effect but optimally of 10% level.