Effects of Different Dietary Levels of Pigeon Pea Hay (Cajanus cajan) on Growth Performance and Blood Biochemical Characteristics of Sudanese Desert Lambs (Hamari and Shuguor)
Abstract
Sheep production plays an important role in Sudan because of the large sheep population, availability of rangelands and crop residues, socioeconomic importance, and high consumer demand for sheep meat. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary levels of pigeon pea hay (PPH) on feedlot performance and blood biochemical and mineral characteristics of Hamari and Shuguor Sudanese desert sheep breeds. Three iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets containing 0%, 20%, and 30% PPH were formulated to provide approximately 10.50 MJ/kg metabolizable energy and 14.6% crude protein. Twenty-seven male lambs from each breed, aged 4–5 months, with an average initial body weight of 25.45 kg, were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments. The experiment was conducted using a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and significant differences among treatment means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at P ≤ 0.05. Dietary PPH level significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected final body weight, total body weight gain, average daily gain, feed intake expressed as a percentage of live body weight, relative growth rate, and feed conversion ratio. However, breed had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on these feedlot performance parameters. Dietary PPH level had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on daily feed intake or total body weight gain expressed as a percentage of live body weight. Among the blood characteristics, albumin, potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by dietary PPH level, whereas breed had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the measured blood biochemical and mineral characteristics. These findings indicate that pigeon pea hay can be effectively utilized as a dietary feed ingredient for fattening sheep. Based on the findings of this study, the 20% PPH inclusion level appeared to be the most suitable level for improving feedlot performance while maintaining normal blood biochemical and mineral characteristics.
References
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Alexander, G., Ravi, D., Reddy, C.R., Saxena, K.B., Hanson, J., Upadhyaya, H.D. and Blummel, M. (2007). Forage yield and quality in pigeon pea germplasm lines. Journal of SAT Agricultural Research, 3, 1–3.
Ali, C.S., Islam-Ud-Din, Sharif, M., Nisa, M., Javid, A., Hashim, N. and Sarwar, M. (2009). Supplementation of ruminally protected proteins and amino acids: Feed consumption, digestion and performance of cattle and sheep. International Journal of Agriculture & Biology, 11, 477–482.
Allen, P. (1990). New approaches to measuring body composition in live meat animals. In: Wood, J.D. and Fisher, A.V. (Eds.), Reducing Fat in Meat Animals. Elsevier, London, pp. 201–254.
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). (1984). Official Methods of Analysis. 14th ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC, USA.
Awad, A., El Hadi, O.A. and Abdel Bagi, M.B. (2012). Effect of feeding treated groundnut hulls with molasses on performance of Desert sheep during late summer in the arid rangelands of western Sudan. King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Bekele-Tesema, A. (2007). Useful Trees and Shrubs of Ethiopia: Identification, Propagation and Management for 17 Agroclimatic Zones. RELMA in ICRAF Project, Nairobi, Kenya.
Beshir, A.A. (1996). Use of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Seeds in Lamb Feeding. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Beshir, A.A., Yagoub, Y.M. and Babiker, S.A. (2009). Performance of Sudanese Desert lambs fed graded levels of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed cake instead of groundnut cake. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(5), 525–529.
Coles, E.H. (1986). Veterinary Clinical Pathology. 4th ed. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, USA.
Darran, H.M.M. (2007). Impact of Feeding Karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Seed on Semen Characteristics of Sudanese Desert Ram. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Dolberg, F., Saadullah, M., Haghe, M. and Ahmed, R. (1981). Storage of urea-treated straw using indigenous material. World Animal Review, 38, 37–41.
El-Hassan, G.M. (1994). Meat Production Potential and Quality of Sudan Desert Lambs. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Ellis, N. (1981). Calculation of Metabolizable Energy Values. The Nutrient Composition of Sudanese Animal Feeds. Bulletin No. 1: Northern and Central Sudan. Central Animal Nutrition Research Laboratory, Kuku, Khartoum, Sudan.
Gargi, B., Semwal, P., Jameel Pasha, S.B., Singh, P., Painuli, S., Thapliyal, A. and Cruz-Martins, N. (2022). Revisiting the nutritional, chemical and biological potential of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Molecules, 27, 6877. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27206877.
Gomes, D.I., Veras, R.L., Alves, K.S., Detmann, E., Oliveira, L.R.S., Mezzomo, R., Santos, R.B. and Barcelos, S.S. (2012). Performance and digestibility of growing sheep fed with açai seed meal-based diets. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44, 1751–1757.
Hagam, S.H.A.A. (2020). Effect of Using Different Levels of Sorghum Straw on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Sudanese Desert Sheep. M.Sc. Thesis, Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Hassan, E.H. (2010). Estrogenic Effect of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Crushed Seeds on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Sudan Desert Sheep (Shugor Ecotype). Ph.D. Thesis, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Hassan, H.M. and Mukhtar, A.M.S. (1970). Digestibility trials and feedlot performance of Sudan Desert sheep. Tropical Agriculture, 47(4), 325–330.
Hidosa, D., Kibret, S. and Belachew, B. (2020). Evaluation of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) for dry matter yield and chemical composition at Jinka Agricultural Research Center. American-Eurasian Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 20, 129–136. https://doi.org/10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2020.129.136.
Ibrahim, A.B. (2020). Effect of Using Different Levels of Groundnut Hay on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Sudanese Desert Sheep Lambs (Shugour–Dubasi). M.Sc. Thesis, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Karachi, M. and Zengo, M. (1998). Legume forages from pigeon pea, leucaena and sesbania as supplements to natural pastures for goat production in western Tanzania. Agroforestry Systems, 39, 13–21.
Kind, P.R.N. and King, E.J. (1949). Estimation of plasma phosphatase by determination of hydrolysed phenol with amino-antipyrine. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 2, 322.
McLeroy, G.B. (1961). The sheep of the Sudan. I. An extensive survey and system of classification. Sudan Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, 2, 19–35.
Mekonen, T., Tolera, A., Nurfeta, A., Bradford, B., Yigrem, S. and Vipha, J. (2022). Effects of pigeon pea leaves and concentrate mixture on feed intake, milk yield and composition of crossbred dairy cows fed native pasture hay. Animal Bioscience.
Mezzomo, R., Paulino, P.V.R., Detmann, E., Valadares Filho, S.C., Paulino, M.F., Monnerat, J.P.I.S., Duarte, M.S., Silva, L.H.P. and Moura, L.S. (2011). Influence of condensed tannin on intake, digestibility and efficiency of protein utilization in beef steers fed a high-concentrate diet. Livestock Science, 141, 1–11.
Mhango, W.G., Snapp, S. and Kanyama-Phiri, G.Y. (2017). Biological nitrogen fixation and yield of pigeon pea and groundnut: Quantifying response on smallholder farms in northern Malawi. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 12, 1385–1394. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2017.12232.
Mohana, E.H. (2018). Effect of Using Different Levels of Chrozophora brocchiana (Argassi) Leaves on Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality Attributes of Hamari Lambs. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF). (2011). Annual Report. Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Khartoum, Sudan.
Mukhtar, H.K. (1985). Constraints to Desert sheep production in the sedentary and nomadic systems of North Kordofan. In: Lazim, M.E. (Ed.), Annual Research Report 1984–1985. El-Obeid Research Station, Agricultural Research Corporation, Wad Medani, Sudan, pp. 40–55.
Mutsvangwa, T., Davies, K.L., McKinnon, J.J. and Christensen, D.A. (2016). Effects of dietary crude protein and rumen-degradable protein concentrations on urea recycling, nitrogen balance, omasal nutrient flow and milk production in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 99, 6298–6310. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-10917.
National Research Council (NRC). (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, USA.
Nurfeta, A., Churfo, A. and Abebe, A. (2013). Substitution of pigeon pea leaves for noug (Guizotia abyssinica) seed cake as a protein supplement to sheep fed low-quality tropical grass hay. Ethiopian Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 4, 1–13.
Osita, C.O., Ani, A.O., Ezema, C., Oyeagu, C.E., Uzochukwu, I.E. and Ezemagu, I.E. (2019). Hematological and biochemical indices of West African Dwarf sheep fed diets containing yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), grass, grass/legume (50:50) and legume. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 18, 34–41.
Pires, A.J.V., Reis, R.A., Carvalho, G.G.P., Siqueira, G.R., Bernardes, T.F., Ruggieri, A.C., Almeida, E.O. and Roth, M.T.P. (2006). Forage dry matter, fibrous fraction and crude protein ruminal degradability. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 41(4), 643–648.
Qureshi, M.U., Qureshi, M.S., Khan, R., Rahman, A., Sohail, S.M., Ijaz, A., Ahmad, I., Ahmad, S. and Shoaib, M. (2016). Relationship of blood metabolites with reproductive cyclicity in dairy cows. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 50, 338–348. https://doi.org/10.18805/ijar.10713.
Richmond, W. (1973). Cholesterol determination. Clinical Chemistry, 19, 1350.
Snedecor, G.W. and Cochran, W.G. (1980). Statistical Methods. 7th ed. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa, USA.
Solomon, T., Wondimagegne, B., Desalegn, A., Asress, Z., Niguse, B. and Misganawu, W. (2016). Evaluation of the effect of pigeon pea dried leaf supplementation on feed intake and live weight change in local sheep breed in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia. International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences, 3(12), 81–85. https://doi.org/10.22192/ijarbs.2016.03.12.010.
Steel, R.G.D. and Torrie, J.H. (1980). Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, New York, USA.
Sulieman, A.H., Sayers, A.R. and Wilson, R.T. (1990). Evaluation of Shuguor, Dubasi and Watish subtypes of Sudan Desert sheep at El Huda National Animal Production Research Centre. Sudan, Khartoum.
Alexander, G., Ravi, D., Reddy, C.R., Saxena, K.B., Hanson, J., Upadhyaya, H.D. and Blummel, M. (2007). Forage yield and quality in pigeon pea germplasm lines. Journal of SAT Agricultural Research, 3, 1–3.
Ali, C.S., Islam-Ud-Din, Sharif, M., Nisa, M., Javid, A., Hashim, N. and Sarwar, M. (2009). Supplementation of ruminally protected proteins and amino acids: Feed consumption, digestion and performance of cattle and sheep. International Journal of Agriculture & Biology, 11, 477–482.
Allen, P. (1990). New approaches to measuring body composition in live meat animals. In: Wood, J.D. and Fisher, A.V. (Eds.), Reducing Fat in Meat Animals. Elsevier, London, pp. 201–254.
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). (1984). Official Methods of Analysis. 14th ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC, USA.
Awad, A., El Hadi, O.A. and Abdel Bagi, M.B. (2012). Effect of feeding treated groundnut hulls with molasses on performance of Desert sheep during late summer in the arid rangelands of western Sudan. King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Bekele-Tesema, A. (2007). Useful Trees and Shrubs of Ethiopia: Identification, Propagation and Management for 17 Agroclimatic Zones. RELMA in ICRAF Project, Nairobi, Kenya.
Beshir, A.A. (1996). Use of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Seeds in Lamb Feeding. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Beshir, A.A., Yagoub, Y.M. and Babiker, S.A. (2009). Performance of Sudanese Desert lambs fed graded levels of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed cake instead of groundnut cake. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(5), 525–529.
Coles, E.H. (1986). Veterinary Clinical Pathology. 4th ed. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, USA.
Darran, H.M.M. (2007). Impact of Feeding Karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Seed on Semen Characteristics of Sudanese Desert Ram. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Dolberg, F., Saadullah, M., Haghe, M. and Ahmed, R. (1981). Storage of urea-treated straw using indigenous material. World Animal Review, 38, 37–41.
El-Hassan, G.M. (1994). Meat Production Potential and Quality of Sudan Desert Lambs. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Ellis, N. (1981). Calculation of Metabolizable Energy Values. The Nutrient Composition of Sudanese Animal Feeds. Bulletin No. 1: Northern and Central Sudan. Central Animal Nutrition Research Laboratory, Kuku, Khartoum, Sudan.
Gargi, B., Semwal, P., Jameel Pasha, S.B., Singh, P., Painuli, S., Thapliyal, A. and Cruz-Martins, N. (2022). Revisiting the nutritional, chemical and biological potential of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Molecules, 27, 6877. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27206877.
Gomes, D.I., Veras, R.L., Alves, K.S., Detmann, E., Oliveira, L.R.S., Mezzomo, R., Santos, R.B. and Barcelos, S.S. (2012). Performance and digestibility of growing sheep fed with açai seed meal-based diets. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 44, 1751–1757.
Hagam, S.H.A.A. (2020). Effect of Using Different Levels of Sorghum Straw on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Sudanese Desert Sheep. M.Sc. Thesis, Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Hassan, E.H. (2010). Estrogenic Effect of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Crushed Seeds on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Sudan Desert Sheep (Shugor Ecotype). Ph.D. Thesis, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Hassan, H.M. and Mukhtar, A.M.S. (1970). Digestibility trials and feedlot performance of Sudan Desert sheep. Tropical Agriculture, 47(4), 325–330.
Hidosa, D., Kibret, S. and Belachew, B. (2020). Evaluation of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) for dry matter yield and chemical composition at Jinka Agricultural Research Center. American-Eurasian Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 20, 129–136. https://doi.org/10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2020.129.136.
Ibrahim, A.B. (2020). Effect of Using Different Levels of Groundnut Hay on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Sudanese Desert Sheep Lambs (Shugour–Dubasi). M.Sc. Thesis, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Karachi, M. and Zengo, M. (1998). Legume forages from pigeon pea, leucaena and sesbania as supplements to natural pastures for goat production in western Tanzania. Agroforestry Systems, 39, 13–21.
Kind, P.R.N. and King, E.J. (1949). Estimation of plasma phosphatase by determination of hydrolysed phenol with amino-antipyrine. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 2, 322.
McLeroy, G.B. (1961). The sheep of the Sudan. I. An extensive survey and system of classification. Sudan Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, 2, 19–35.
Mekonen, T., Tolera, A., Nurfeta, A., Bradford, B., Yigrem, S. and Vipha, J. (2022). Effects of pigeon pea leaves and concentrate mixture on feed intake, milk yield and composition of crossbred dairy cows fed native pasture hay. Animal Bioscience.
Mezzomo, R., Paulino, P.V.R., Detmann, E., Valadares Filho, S.C., Paulino, M.F., Monnerat, J.P.I.S., Duarte, M.S., Silva, L.H.P. and Moura, L.S. (2011). Influence of condensed tannin on intake, digestibility and efficiency of protein utilization in beef steers fed a high-concentrate diet. Livestock Science, 141, 1–11.
Mhango, W.G., Snapp, S. and Kanyama-Phiri, G.Y. (2017). Biological nitrogen fixation and yield of pigeon pea and groundnut: Quantifying response on smallholder farms in northern Malawi. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 12, 1385–1394. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2017.12232.
Mohana, E.H. (2018). Effect of Using Different Levels of Chrozophora brocchiana (Argassi) Leaves on Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality Attributes of Hamari Lambs. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Gezira, Sudan.
Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF). (2011). Annual Report. Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Khartoum, Sudan.
Mukhtar, H.K. (1985). Constraints to Desert sheep production in the sedentary and nomadic systems of North Kordofan. In: Lazim, M.E. (Ed.), Annual Research Report 1984–1985. El-Obeid Research Station, Agricultural Research Corporation, Wad Medani, Sudan, pp. 40–55.
Mutsvangwa, T., Davies, K.L., McKinnon, J.J. and Christensen, D.A. (2016). Effects of dietary crude protein and rumen-degradable protein concentrations on urea recycling, nitrogen balance, omasal nutrient flow and milk production in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 99, 6298–6310. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-10917.
National Research Council (NRC). (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, USA.
Nurfeta, A., Churfo, A. and Abebe, A. (2013). Substitution of pigeon pea leaves for noug (Guizotia abyssinica) seed cake as a protein supplement to sheep fed low-quality tropical grass hay. Ethiopian Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 4, 1–13.
Osita, C.O., Ani, A.O., Ezema, C., Oyeagu, C.E., Uzochukwu, I.E. and Ezemagu, I.E. (2019). Hematological and biochemical indices of West African Dwarf sheep fed diets containing yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), grass, grass/legume (50:50) and legume. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 18, 34–41.
Pires, A.J.V., Reis, R.A., Carvalho, G.G.P., Siqueira, G.R., Bernardes, T.F., Ruggieri, A.C., Almeida, E.O. and Roth, M.T.P. (2006). Forage dry matter, fibrous fraction and crude protein ruminal degradability. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 41(4), 643–648.
Qureshi, M.U., Qureshi, M.S., Khan, R., Rahman, A., Sohail, S.M., Ijaz, A., Ahmad, I., Ahmad, S. and Shoaib, M. (2016). Relationship of blood metabolites with reproductive cyclicity in dairy cows. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 50, 338–348. https://doi.org/10.18805/ijar.10713.
Richmond, W. (1973). Cholesterol determination. Clinical Chemistry, 19, 1350.
Snedecor, G.W. and Cochran, W.G. (1980). Statistical Methods. 7th ed. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa, USA.
Solomon, T., Wondimagegne, B., Desalegn, A., Asress, Z., Niguse, B. and Misganawu, W. (2016). Evaluation of the effect of pigeon pea dried leaf supplementation on feed intake and live weight change in local sheep breed in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia. International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences, 3(12), 81–85. https://doi.org/10.22192/ijarbs.2016.03.12.010.
Steel, R.G.D. and Torrie, J.H. (1980). Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, New York, USA.
Sulieman, A.H., Sayers, A.R. and Wilson, R.T. (1990). Evaluation of Shuguor, Dubasi and Watish subtypes of Sudan Desert sheep at El Huda National Animal Production Research Centre. Sudan, Khartoum.
Published
2026-10-22
How to Cite
ELHASHMI, Y. H. A et al.
Effects of Different Dietary Levels of Pigeon Pea Hay (Cajanus cajan) on Growth Performance and Blood Biochemical Characteristics of Sudanese Desert Lambs (Hamari and Shuguor).
Gezira Journal of Agricultural Science, [S.l.], v. 20, n. 2, p. 1-14, oct. 2026.
ISSN 1728-9556. Available at: <http://journals.uofg.edu.sd/index.php/gjas/article/view/2628>. Date accessed: 03 nov. 2026.
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