Evaluation of Azolla and Sheanut Based Diets on Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization in Nellore Weaners under Different Management Systems

Four isonitrogenous diets were formulated using Azolla as low cost protein supplement and Sheanut cake as energy supplement in a 4 × 6 Completely Randomized Design using Nellore weaners under intensive and semi intensive systems of management. The weaners were fed control ration T₁, concentrate diet with replacement of 30 parts of GNC with Azolla T₂, concentrate diet replacement of 16 parts of Rice bran with Sheanut cake T₃ and concentrate diet containing replacement of 30 parts of GNC with Azolla and16 parts of Rice bran with Sheanut cake T₄. Significantly (P<0.01) higher total body weight gain (kg) and ADG (g) were observed for all test diets than control diet in both systems. The cost of feed per kg weight gain was reduced by about 50 per cent in experimental diets over control diet. DMI and cost of feed per kg weight gain were significantly (P<0.01) higher in semi intensive system, whereas total body weight gain, ADG and FCR were significantly (P<0.01) higher in intensive system. Significantly (P<0.01) higher digestibility coefficients (%) were observed for DM, CP, CF, EE, NFE, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose in intensive system and for DM, OM, CP, CF, EE, ADF and Cellulose in semi intensive system for all experimental diets over control diet. There exists a significant (P<0.01) difference in DM, OM, CP, NFE, NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose digestibility coefficients between systems where intensive system had higher values.