Effect of Feeding Sun Dried Banana Pseudostem as a Partial Replacement of Dietary Maize on Performance and Production Economics of Crossbred Grower Pigs

Background: The usage of banana waste pseudostems has drawn more attention in recent years. Additionally, it is said that these banana waste components are rich in vitamins and minerals, notably dietary fibre. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of substituting dietary maize with sun dried banana pseudostem (BP) in their feed on performances of crossbred grower pigs. Methods: The current study was carried out between 2020-2021 on forty eight (48) Hampshire crossbred grower pigs, that were randomly divided and allotted to 4 compounded dietary treatments by replacing dietary maize with sun dried BP by 0% (T0), 10% (T1), 20% (T2) and 30% (T3) in their ration. By modifying the amounts of maize with BP, all compounded diets were rendered isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Result: Results indicated significant (p less than 0.05) improvement in the total body weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) in both male and female crossbred pigs fed ration T2 in comparison to the other groups. The performances of the both female and male pigs were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower when dietary levels of BP were increased up to 30% (T3). The feed cost/kg live weight gain in group T2 was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than the control group in both the sexes. In conclusion, crossbred grower pigs can tolerate up to 20% dietary substitution of maize with BP in the ration without compromising their growth, blood biochemical parameters, reproductive performances and carcass quality. Incorporation of 20% sun dried BP resulted in lowered feed cost.