Murovhi, R.Mikasi, M. S.Murovhi, Ronewa2024-10-042024-10-042024-09-06Murovhi, R. 2024. Effect of location and drying methods on nutrient composition, apparent digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of South African Mutton Merino Lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2733AGMAASDepartment of Animal ScienceThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of location and drying methods on nutrient composition of dried marula fruit peels and apparent digestibility, and growth performance as well as carcass characteristics of South African mutton merino lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels. Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) is a medium sized tree belonging to the Brachystegia genus. Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the chemical composition of dried marula fruit peels where the DM, OM, CP, CF, ADF, NDF, and GE were determined. All the data in this experiment were subjected to analysis of variance for a 2x2 factorial in a completely randomised design using a GLM procedure of Minitab 19(Minitab, 2019). Tukey’s studentised multiple range test determined statistically significant differences among the means. The dry matter of fresh marula fruit peels has shown a significant difference (P<0.01). The dry matter of fresh marula fruit peels from Tzaneen using freeze and oven-drying methods was higher than those from Phalaborwa. The dry matter, crude protein, ash, ether extract, acid detergent lignin, and gross energy contents of dried marula fruit peels for both locations and drying methods were not significantly different (P>0.05). The crude fibre, Acid detergent fibre, and nitrogen detergent fibre results for both location and drying methods were significantly different (P<0.01). The crude fibre and nitrogen detergent fibre from Tzaneen were found to be higher than those from Phalaborwa when a freeze-drying method was used. However, when using an oven-drying method, the crude fiber, nitrogen detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin contents were higher in Phalaborwa. Apparent digestibility of DM, CP, and OM of the diet was determined in a completely randomised design and the means were compared using a Tuckey method at a 95% confidence level. The experiment was conducted in the last ten days of growth trial. A total of 9 male South African mutton merino sheep of approximately 35kg of weight were used in this experiment. The results revealed that the inclusion levels of dried marula fruit peels in the animal diet did not affect (P>0.05) the CP intake. However, a significant difference (P<0.01) was observed in the OM intake by the lambs. The inclusion levels of dried marula fruit peels in the diet did not affect (P>0.05) the faecal excretion of nutrients by lambs. A non-significance difference (P>0.05) was observed in the digestibility of nutrients. The determination of growth performance and carcass characteristics of the lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels was conducted, where the ADFI, ADG, FCR and hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, dressing percentage were measured respectively. A completely randomised design was used in this experiment with seven animals per treatment. Before the trial, the lambs were vaccinated against brucellosis, pulpy kidney and treated for internal parasites. The inclusion levels of dried marula fruit peels had no significant impact (P>0.05) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics. This research has revealed that dried marula fruit peels can be used as a potential energy source for lambs without negatively affecting the growth and carcass characteristics of lambs at up to 10% inclusion level.1 online resource (ix, 48 leaves)enUniversity of VendaBy-productsGrowth performanceApparent digestibilityCarcass characteristicsChemical compostionSA merino lambsDried marula fruit peelsUCTDDissertationMurovhi R. Effect of location and drying methods on nutrient composition, apparent digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of South African Mutton Merino Lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels. []. , 2024 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Murovhi, R. (2024). <i>Effect of location and drying methods on nutrient composition, apparent digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of South African Mutton Merino Lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMurovhi, Ronewa. <i>"Effect of location and drying methods on nutrient composition, apparent digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of South African Mutton Merino Lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels."</i> ., , 2024.TY - Thesis AU - Murovhi, Ronewa AB - The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of location and drying methods on nutrient composition of dried marula fruit peels and apparent digestibility, and growth performance as well as carcass characteristics of South African mutton merino lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels. Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) is a medium sized tree belonging to the Brachystegia genus. Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the chemical composition of dried marula fruit peels where the DM, OM, CP, CF, ADF, NDF, and GE were determined. All the data in this experiment were subjected to analysis of variance for a 2x2 factorial in a completely randomised design using a GLM procedure of Minitab 19(Minitab, 2019). Tukey’s studentised multiple range test determined statistically significant differences among the means. The dry matter of fresh marula fruit peels has shown a significant difference (P<0.01). The dry matter of fresh marula fruit peels from Tzaneen using freeze and oven-drying methods was higher than those from Phalaborwa. The dry matter, crude protein, ash, ether extract, acid detergent lignin, and gross energy contents of dried marula fruit peels for both locations and drying methods were not significantly different (P>0.05). The crude fibre, Acid detergent fibre, and nitrogen detergent fibre results for both location and drying methods were significantly different (P<0.01). The crude fibre and nitrogen detergent fibre from Tzaneen were found to be higher than those from Phalaborwa when a freeze-drying method was used. However, when using an oven-drying method, the crude fiber, nitrogen detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin contents were higher in Phalaborwa. Apparent digestibility of DM, CP, and OM of the diet was determined in a completely randomised design and the means were compared using a Tuckey method at a 95% confidence level. The experiment was conducted in the last ten days of growth trial. A total of 9 male South African mutton merino sheep of approximately 35kg of weight were used in this experiment. The results revealed that the inclusion levels of dried marula fruit peels in the animal diet did not affect (P>0.05) the CP intake. However, a significant difference (P<0.01) was observed in the OM intake by the lambs. The inclusion levels of dried marula fruit peels in the diet did not affect (P>0.05) the faecal excretion of nutrients by lambs. A non-significance difference (P>0.05) was observed in the digestibility of nutrients. The determination of growth performance and carcass characteristics of the lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels was conducted, where the ADFI, ADG, FCR and hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, dressing percentage were measured respectively. A completely randomised design was used in this experiment with seven animals per treatment. Before the trial, the lambs were vaccinated against brucellosis, pulpy kidney and treated for internal parasites. The inclusion levels of dried marula fruit peels had no significant impact (P>0.05) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics. This research has revealed that dried marula fruit peels can be used as a potential energy source for lambs without negatively affecting the growth and carcass characteristics of lambs at up to 10% inclusion level. DA - 2024-09-06 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - By-products KW - Growth performance KW - Apparent digestibility KW - Carcass characteristics KW - Chemical compostion KW - SA merino lambs KW - Dried marula fruit peels LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2024 T1 - Effect of location and drying methods on nutrient composition, apparent digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of South African Mutton Merino Lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels TI - Effect of location and drying methods on nutrient composition, apparent digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of South African Mutton Merino Lambs fed different levels of dried marula fruit peels UR - ER -