Rumen Microbial Profile of Yankasa Rams Fed a Basal Diet of Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) Supplemented with Purslane (Portulaca olerecea) Leaves and Stems
Abstract
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the microbial population, rumen pH and Methane (CH4) gas production in Yankasa rams fed a basal diet of Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) supplemented with Purslane (Portulaca olerecea). Twelve (12) Yankasa Rams with an average live weight of 15.7 kg were used for this study which lasted for 62 days. The animals were assigned to four (4) dietary treatment groups in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three rams per treatment as replicates. The animals were fed with: T1 = Guinea grass only (control) 100 gMO + 100 WP, T2= Guinea grass + 100 gWP+200 gMO, T3= Guinea grass + 200 gWP+200 gMO and T4= 300 gWP+ 200 gMO. The results showed that animals fed with T2 diet had the highest (P<0.05) bacterial population (4.96X105/ml) whereas those on T3 recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher (25.17) fungal population in comparison with rams placed on T1 (1.67), T2 (15.50) and T4 (16.60) diets, respectively. The rumen PH and Protozoan counts were significantly (P<0.05) higher in rams fed T2 diet. However, the methane (CH4) gas production differed significantly (P<0.05) between treatment means. It is recommended that rams should be fed with T2 diets as it increased the rumen bacteria and protozoan counts with a reduced methane gas production. It was concluded that feeding Guinea grass supplemented with up to 100 g/day of Wild Purslane increased rumen bacteria and protozoan counts with a reduced methane gas production. Based on the results of the study, it's recommended that Yankasa rams be fed with Guinea grass supplemented with Wild Purslane as it increases favourable rumen microbiota. Further research should evaluate the long-term health effects of wild Purslane supplementation and its impact on meat quality in Yankasa rams.
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