Plantain foliar residues for pig diets. Ileal digestibility of nutrients

Three YD x L pigs of approximately 45 kg and ileorectostomized were used and distributed in a 3 x 3 Latin square design. The effect of partially substituting sugar cane molasses B and soybean meal by plantain (Musa paradisiaca) foliar residues in the form of meal (PFR) on the digestive indices was studied. No treatment effect on DM ileal digestibility, organic matter, NDF and energy was encountered, however ileal digestibility of crude fibre was reduced (P<0.01) from 39.1 to 15.1% respectively and a maximum of 20.6% of PFR in the diet. Ileal digestibility of N tended to decrease (P < 0.01) as PFR was increased in the feed. in vitro and in vivo digestibility of N of the PFR was 46.1 and 35.8%, respectively. The inclusion of 20.6% of PFR in molasses diets apparently did not have an adverse effect on ileal digestibility of nutrients in pigs.