A laboratory study was under taken to investigate the nutritional value of different Opuntia varieties
from chemical analysis. One year old cladodes from six different varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica
namely Castello, Chicco, Fusicaulis, Montery, Morado and Rubasta were randomly harvested in
five replicates. The highest (P<0.05) average dry matter (DM) content was observed for the Chicco
variety and was the average for all varieties generally low (9.13%). There were no significant
difference (P>0.05) in ash content. Significant (P<0.05)differences among varieties were recorded
for crude protein (CP) (3.7 to 8.1%), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (13.6 to 17.4%), neutral detergent
fibre (NDF) (19.9 to 38.5%), cellulose (2.4 to 14.8%), hemicellulose (4.5 to 12.7%), lignin (2.51 to
21.5%), non fibre carbohydrates (NFC) (33.4 to 48.6%), ether extract (EE) (1.9 to 2.4%). The
average mineral composition were as follows, phosphorus (P) 0.18%, potassium (K) 3.02%, calcium
(Ca) 2.3%, magnesium (Mg) 3.6% and sodium (Na) 0.04%. It was concluded that in general
cladodes could be classified as a high moisture energy source with an energy level between that of
roughages and concentrates with a low CP and high Mg, K and Ca content.
In a second study the influence of dry matter (7.12 to 27.6 %) and molasses (0 to 24%) content on
the fermentation characteristics of Fusicaulis cladode silage was investigated. One year old cladodes
was ensiled in three litre square plastic bottles (six replicates). A higher DM content were
characterized with a lower (P<0.05) ADF, NDF, CP and EE content. The inclusion of molasses
resulted in a lower (P<0.05) ADF, NDF and EE content. An increased (P<0.05) acetic acid (AA)
content in Fusicaulis silage was observed as the level of DM and molasses increased. A higher
silage DM content resulted in a lower (P<0.05) propionic acid (PA) and butyric acid (BA) content.
No significant (P>0.05) influence of molasses on PA and BA occurred. Lactic acid (LA) content and
pH of cladode silage was increased (P<0.05) by higher DM and molasses levels. It was concluded
that the content of cladode silage could have detrimental effect on intake and animal performance.
In a third study, the effect of DM (35.5 and 37.4%) and molasses (0 and 24%) content of ensiled
cladodes on dry matter intake (DMI) and apparent digestibility by sheep was investigated. Twentyfour
merino wethers were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 each. No statistical significant (P>0.05) influence of DM and molasses levels in Fusicaulis silage on the apparent digestibility of
DM and CP as well as metabolizable energy (ME) content occurred. The inclusion of molasses
resulted in a reduction in the ADF (P=0.08) and NDF (P=0.05) digestibilities. Apparent EE
digestibility was reduced (P<0.05) by a higher DM level. DM content of cladode silage had no
influence (P=0.42) on DMI by sheep. The inclusion of molasses influenced DMI favourably
(P=0.54). In contrast with molasses, a higher DM level (37.4%) in silage resulted in a higher
(P<0.05) metabolizable energy intake (MEI). Cladode silage supplied more or less in the ME
requirements of 30 kg wether lambs. Weight losses were decreased (P=0.07) by the inclusion of 24%
molasses. It was concluded that the laxative effect of cladode silage resulted in a higher rate of
passage through the digestive tract. Accordingly the digestibility and ME content of cladode silage is
relatively low. Accompanied by a low DMI, cladode silage as a sole energy source supplied only in
the maintenance requirement of sheep, especially when molasses was included at ensiling.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ufs/oai:etd.uovs.ac.za:etd-10092009-162148 |
| Date | 09 October 2009 |
| Creators | Mciteka, Hugh |
| Contributors | Dr PG Marais, Prof HJ van der Merwe |
| Publisher | University of the Free State |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en-uk |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.uovs.ac.za//theses/available/etd-10092009-162148/restricted/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University Free State or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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