Intake and digestibility of dietary nutrients in lambs of different genetic groups fed with cashew nut meal

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of cashew nut meal (CNM) offered to lambs of three genetic groups on intake and digestibility of dietary nutrients. Eighteen male lambs, ½ Dorper x ½ native, ½ Somalis x ½ native and ½ Santa Inês x ½ native, with body weight of 22,66. The control diet, constituted Aruana´s hay, corn, soybean meal. The test diet was constituted of these feed plus CNM, Acompletely randomized design in a factorial project 3 x 2, three genetic groups versus two diets (with or without CNM) with three replicates per treatment.Higher intakes were obtained for the animals ½ Dorper x ½ native compared to animals ½ Santa Inês x ½ native, being similar to the animals ½ Somalis x ½ native. There was significant interaction only for the DM digestibility. Lower digestibilities were observed for animals ½ Santa Ines x ½ native in the diet containing the CNM. Lower digestibilities of ADF and HCEL were observed in the diets with the inclusion of CNM. For the genetics groups, NDF, ADF and HCEL digestibilities higher it was verified to the animals ½ Dorper x ½ native comparedto theanimals ½ Santa Inês x ½ native, being both similar to the animals ½ Somalis x ½ native. The inclusion of CNM has a negative effect on the digestibilities of fibrous fractions, especially on the hemicellulose, resulting in reduction on the digestibility of dietary DM in the ½ Santa Inês x ½ native.