Nutrient Composition and Acceptability of Rabbit Fed Silage from Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) and Calopogonium (Calopogonium mucunoides)

Authors

  • Nkemdirim Annabel Chukwu

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel Bakpo

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Keayiabarido Jude

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Sobomate Chuku

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Miracle Uzoma

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria
  • Aroloye Numbere

    Department of Biology and Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria; Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jbr.v7i1.12492
Received: 17 October 2025 | Revised: 25 October 2025 | Accepted: 28 October 2025 | Published Online: 19 November 2025

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the nutrient composition and acceptability of silage produced from guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and calopogonium (Calopogonium mucunoides) fed to rabbits. Treatment 1 was fresh guinea grass and Calopogonium. Treatment 2 was ensiled 20% guinea grass +20% ensiled calopogonium, Treatment 3 was 25% ensiled guinea grass +25% ensiled calopogonium. Treatment 4 was 30% ensiled guinea grass +30% ensiled calopogonium. Treatment 5 was 35% ensiled guinea grass +35% calopogonium. Treatment 6 was 40% ensiled guinea grass +40% calopogonium. After 30 days of ensiling the silage physical characteristic, acceptability and macro mineral were assessed and the product were presented to fifteen New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cunuculus) at 24 weeks of age in a cafeteria experiment to determine their acceptability. Based on the result, the physical characteristic of the silages were within the recommended characteristic for good silage, they were with Olive green color, firm texture in all the treatment group. The acceptability and preference of the silages by the rabbits were significantly (p > 0.05) different with treatment 6, 40% ensiled guinea grass +40% calopogonium and treatment 1 (Fresh guinea grass and calopogonium) being the most accepted and preferred and the result of the macro mineral profile of the silages showed significant difference in sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous content, with treatment 6 having the highest value of all the macro minerals. The study concludes and recommend the use of treatment 6, 40% ensiled guinea grass with 40% ensiled calopogonium for ruminant production because this treatment showed good physical characteristics indicating proper ensiling and preservation of nutrients and high acceptability and preference by rabbits, indicating palatability and reasonable macro mineral content, particularly calcium, sodium and magnesium, which are essential mineral for animal health.

Keywords:

Calapogonium; Guinea Grass; Nutrient Composition; Mineral; Rabbit; Silage

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How to Cite

Chukwu, N. A., Bakpo, E., Jude, K., Chuku, S., Uzoma , M., & Numbere, A. (2025). Nutrient Composition and Acceptability of Rabbit Fed Silage from Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) and Calopogonium (Calopogonium mucunoides). Journal of Botanical Research, 7(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.30564/jbr.v7i1.12492

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Vol. 7 , Iss. 1

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Copyright © 2025 Nkemdirim Annabel Chukwu, Emmanuel Bakpo, Keayiabarido Jude, Sobomate Chuku, Miracle Uzoma , Aroloye Numbere

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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