Abstract

OLIVA, D.; MARTINEZ, Mayuly; JIMENEZ, Leydis  and  LY, J.. Performance traits of growing pigs fed on diets of royal palm nut meal. Cuban J. Agric. Sci. [online]. 2018, vol.52, n.2, pp.173-180.  Epub June 01, 2018. ISSN 0864-0408.

This study evaluated the feeding of fattening pigs with variable levels of royal palm nuts, fruit of the Cuban royal palm (Roystonea regia H.B.K. Cook). The royal palm nuts was ground together with the rest of the ingredients of the diet, after being dried in the open air. The royal palm nut meal contained 39.18 and 6.62 % of crude fiber and crude protein (Nx6.25), respectively. Performance traits were evaluated in 24 commercial crossbred pigs (Yorkshire x Landrace x Duroc), females and castrated males equal in proportion, with an initial average weight of 26 kg, randomly distributed in four treatments consisting of diets with 0, 10, 20 and 30 % of royal palm nut meal, on dry basis. A completely randomized design with 2x4 factorial arrangement was used. The factors were sex and the level of royal palm nut meal in the food. The test lasted 65 days. There was no effect (P>0.05) on the sex x royal palm nut level interaction in any of the measurements. Neither effect (P>0.05) was found in the final weight nor in the daily gain (706, 630, 660 and 680 g/day). It is highly recommended to feed growing pigs with diets containing up to 30% of royal palm nut meal. It is suggested to carry out performance tests in which pigs reach a slaughter weight equal or superior to 100 kg and studies in breeding sows.

Keywords : pigs; royal palm; intake; gain; food conversion.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English | Spanish     · English ( pdf )