Conversion of Sorghum stover into feed by Trichoderma harzanium and the feeding of resulting materials to Red Sokoto goats

Abstract

Trichoderma harzanium rifai was grown in solid-state culture on Sorghum stover and the effects of lignin degradability, nutrient availability, feed intake, digestibility and growth rate were studied using 16 Red Sokoto goats in a 4 x 4 latin square design with a 20 week period consumed diets, A (0% Sorghum stover), B (30% Untreated Sorghum stover), C (30% treated but unwashed Sorghum stover), D (30% treated but washed Sorghum stover).  Total DM intake ranked as follows (P > 0.05):  A (745g) > D (699.35g) > C (670g) > B (580g).  Crude protein intake was greatest (P < 0.05) for D, greater (P < 0.05) for A and C than B. Total ADF and NDF intake rose (P < 0.05) for diet D than other diets.

     Digestibilities of DM, ADF, NDF, cellulose and lignin were increased (P < 0.05) for diet D than for the means of diets A, B and C. Live weight gain was greatest (P < 0.05) for diet D, greater (P < 0.05) for C than for A and B.  In conclusion, feeding of treated but unwashed Sorghum stover to growing Red Sokoto goats improved feed intake, growth rate and digestibility of dry matter and most of the fibrous fractions. Nutritive value of treated but washed Sorghum stover as a major component of diet for growing goats appeared promising than that of untreated Sorghum stover.