Effect of Hibiscus tiliacus leaf meal in concentrate feed on nutrient consumption and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of goats

This study aims to determine the effect of Hibiscus tiliaceus leaf meal (HLM) supplementation in concentrate feed on nutrient consumption and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of etawah crossbred goats. Sixty healthy male goats with an average initial body weight of 18.22 ± 3.09 kg were used in a completely randomized block design experiment, divided into four treatment groups. The four treatments were: (i) the goats were fed with elephant grass ad libitum+concentrate without HLM as much as 1% of body weight/head/day as control (H0); concentrate containing 5%; 10% and 15% of HLM as H1; H2, and H3, respectively. The results showed that HLM supplementation in the concentrate had a significant effect (P<0.05) on protein and energy consumption. Likewise, microbial protein synthesis was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the presence of HLM supplementation in concentrate feed. It can be concluded that supplementation of 5% Hibiscus tiliacus leaf meal in the concentrate significantly increases energy and protein consumption, as well as microbial protein synthesis in the rumen which will affect the growth of goats.