The potential of cassava products in diets for poultry

Abstract

Inadequate supply, exorbitant prices and diversion towards using cereal grains forbiofuel production, particularly maize, has led to a constant search for alternativeenergy sources for poultry and other non-ruminant species. The abundantavailability of cassava in certain regions makes it a good alternative to maizeand other cereal grains. Cassava root meal is rich in carbohydrate but low inprotein and all other nutrients, whereas, cassava leaf meal is a moderate sourceof protein. Results of studies to evaluate the replacement of cereals with cassavaproducts in poultry feed show wide variability due to differences in origin, variety,plant maturity at harvest, ecological conditions of plant growth and processingmethods. Cassava products contain a wide range of cyanogenetic glycosides,particularly linamarin and lotaustralin. The level of hydrocyanic acid releasedfrom the cyanogenetic glycosides limits the utilization of cassava, but with properprocessing, the dietary inclusion level of cassava meal can be increased for economicpoultry production. This paper reviews the nutrient composition of cassava and itsuses as a substitute for more conventional ingredients in poultry diets