Vol. 1, Issue 5, Part A (2016)

Author(s): Kenana RS

Abstract: The sweet potato vine (SPV) is a widely grown but underutilized feed resource for livestock. The vines have desirable characteristics suitable for fodder production due to high contents of protein and digestible energy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and nutritive composition of five dual purpose cultivars based on vine production for forage use. The experimental design was arranged in randomized complete block design where six cultivars of sweet potato were established in plots of 2.5m x 2.5m in three replicates. The cultivars used were; Kenspot 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. An improved forage type cultivar (Wagbolige) served as a control. Data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a general linear model (SAS, 2002). Results showed that there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in dry matter (DM) among the cultivars. Wagabolige (control) was much superior in yield (p<0.05) compared to the others cultivars. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in yield between Kenspot 1, 3, 4 and 5. Kenspot 2 had the lowest yields. Kenspot 1 had the highest CP (p<0.05) compared with the other 5 cultivars. However there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in CP between Kenspot 5, Kenspot 2 and Wagabolige. Kenspot 3 had the lowest CP content among the cultivars. Energy was highest in Kenspot 1 and lowest in Kenspot 2. NDF and ADF were highest in Kenspot 2 and lowest in Kenspot 4. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in Ca, P, K and Mg. This study concluded that the five dual purpose cultivars demonstrated excellent potential in terms of quality for forage use. Biomass production however, was the main limitation.