Chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of dual-purpose sweet potato vine cultivars as alternative forage in ruminant diets

Abstract

This study set out to assess the dual-purpose sweet potato vine cultivars' chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility, as potential substitute fodder in ruminant diets. Six sweet potato cultivars were established in three replicates as part of the randomized full block design experiment. There were six cultivars used. At 120 days, the vines were harvested. The dry matter range was between 13.73% and 12.92%. The crude protein was between 16.84% and 23.70%. Kenspot 1 had the greatest energy, whereas Kenspot 2 had the lowest. Whereas NDF and ADF were lowest in Kenspot 4 and highest in Kenspot 2, respectively. The organic matter digestibility was between 80% and 84%. Kenspot 1 had the highest percentage (84.21%), while Kenspot 3 had the lowest (80.70%). The results of this study revealed that the five dual-purpose cultivars have excellent potential for use as fodder.