INFLUENCE OF DRYING METHODS ON in vitro GAS PRODUCTION AND POST INCUBATION PARAMETERS ON BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (VIGNA SUBTERRANEAN)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of drying method on in vitro gas production and Post incubation parameters on Bambara groundnut (vigna substerranean). The experiment was carried out at CADEASE screen house at the college of plant science, while the laboratory experiment was conducted at the laboratory of department of pasture and range management of federal university of agriculture, Abeokuta Ogun State Nigeria. The study was laid out in a complete randomized designed CRD, with three drying methods (sun drying, air drying and oven drying) which was replicated three times. The result showed that air drying resulted in higher crude protein while oven drying has higher DM in proximate composition, also, at the end of incubation period, oven drying has higher gas production, carbon dioxide and organic dry matter. Air drying resulted in higher IVDMD, air drying resulted in the higher total digestibility substrate (TDS) and partitioning factor (PF) values, indicating improved digestibility and nutrient partitioning, in contrast, oven drying and sun drying resulted in higher methane production and reduced TDS values. No significant different were found in volatile fatty acid (VFA) production among the three drying methods. The study concludes that air drying is the most suitable method for improving digestibility and nutrient partitioning of vigna subterranean, while oven drying and sun drying may result in reduced fermentation efficiency.