![]() ![]() There have been many experiments concluding on the positive effects of banana foliage when well supplemented or used in complete diets ( Reynolds, 1995). DM intake for leaves is higher (23 g/day/kg W in Zebu, 13.6 for goats, 20 for lambs) ( Geoffroy et al., 1978 Ffoulkes et al., 1978a Marie-Magdeleine et al., 2010). The high tannin content of leaves may also explain their lower digestibility ( Marie-Magdeleine et al., 2010 Kimambo et al., 1991).ĭM intake for pseudostems is very low (13 g/day/kg W for Zebu cattle, 6.6 for goats), probably due to their high moisture and low protein content ( Geoffroy et al., 1978 Ffoulkes et al., 1978a). The probable explanation is that the erectness of pseudostems is achieved by the way in which water is held in the cells, and not by the presence of high levels of lignin in the cell wall. Unlike other plants, the digestibility of stems is higher (75%) than that of leaves (65%) ( Ffoulkes et al., 1978a) and OM and DM disappearance follow the same pattern ( Kimambo et al., 1991). There are significant differences in degradability and digestibility between banana leaves and pseudostems. The silage is of good quality ( Göhl, 1982).īanana foliage cannot meet animal requirements alone and must be supplemented with nitrogen and energy, or be part of a diet containing other feeds and forages ( Ffoulkes et al., 1978a). Pseudostems are easily ensiled if chopped and mixed with an easily fermentable source of carbohydrates such as molasses or rice bran. They can be fed fresh or sun-dried, whole or chopped. Pseudostems and leaves can be fed separately or mixed together. Particularly, it can be used as an emergency feed in case of drought or feed shortage ( Reynolds, 1995). Banana foliage is a useful source of roughage in many tropical countries. ![]()
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