Seijas et al., 2003. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 15 (8): 1

A total of 36 crossbred castrate male pigs averaging 32 kg initial weight were employed according to a random block design arranged in a factorial 3*3 experiment to determine total tract digestibility coefficients of diets formulated to contain 0, 10 and 20% of trichanthera ( Trichanthera gigantea H.B.K. Stend) foliage meal and 0, 5 and 10% of crude palm ( Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) oil. Feed intake was fixed as 0.08 g DM/kg 0.75 per day given in two daily equal rations. The trichantera foliage meal contained crude protein (N * 6.25) 18.4 and NDF 34.8% in dry basis respectively. There was no significant interaction (P>0.05) between trichanthera foliage meal and crude palm oil in any digestibility index. Overall, digestibility indices were high. Graded levels of either trichanthera foliage meal or crude palm oil had not significant influence on DM, organic matter, NDF, ether extract, N and energy respectively. N and organic matter digestibility of trichanthera as determined by difference were 75.5 and 65.9% respectively, whereas digestible energy accounted for 7.88 kjoule/g DM. It is suggested that trichanthera foliage meal could be introduced up to 20% in diets for growing pigs with no deleterious influence on total tract digestibility indices. The use of palm oil up to 10% can contribute to increase the energy density of the diet.