Effect of dietary substitution of maize with banana pseudostem on performance and economics of crossbred grower pigs

Abstract Forty eight (48) Hampshire crossbred grower pigs (24 females and 24 males) with 75% inheritance were randomly divided into four (4) groups for the experiment. The pigs were allotted to 4 compounded dietary treatments, replacing maize with dried banana pseudostem powder by 0% (T0), 10% (T1), 20% (T2) and 30% (T3) in the ration. By modifying the amounts of maize with banana pseudostem, all compounded diets were rendered isonitrogenous and isocalorie. Results indicated significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the total body weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) in both male and female crossbred pigs, fed with ration replacing 20% maize with banana pseudostem in comparison to the other groups. The performances of the both female and male pigs were significantly (p < 0.05) lower when dietary levels of banana pseudostem were increased up to 30% in place of maize in the ration. The feed cost/kg live weight gain in 20% replacement group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the control group in both the sexes. Blood biochemical parameters in both the sexes did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), irrespective of different dietary treatments. In conclusion, crossbred pigs can tolerate up to 20% dietary substitution of maize with banana pseudostem in the ration without compromising their growth, blood biochemical parameters, reproductive performances and carcass quality.