Federal College of Agriculture, Akure

The nutritional implication of processed maggot meals, hydrolysed, defatted, full-fat, sun-dried and oven-dried, in the diets of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were evaluated. The nutrient density, proximate composition, gross energy and mineral constituents of the maggot meals were determined. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated to provide 40% crude protein in which fish meal in the reference diet was completely replaced by any of the following processed maggot meals: oven-dried full-fat (ODM), sun-dried full-fat (SDM), defatted oven-dried (DODM) and defatted sun-dried (DSDM) maggot meals respectively. Fish were fed ad libitum in triplicate treatments for 56 days in glass tanks. Biological evaluations of the fish were based on growth performance and nutrient utilization indices. The result of the nutrient composition analysis showed that processing methods of defattening and drying influenced the nutrient density of maggot meal, with crude protein content ranging between 43.30% and 46.70% for full-fat sun-dried and hydrolysed/defatted oven-dried maggot meals respectively. The result showed that growth performance and nutrient utilization of fish fed DODM and DSDM dietary inclusions were not significantly different and similar to fish fed the fish meal-based diet. However, fish fed the diet containing SDM exhibited lower daily weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and specific growth. Generally, fish performed better when fed diets containing defatted maggot meals than full-fat maggot meal, and compared favourably with fish fed the fish meal-based diet.

BACKGROUND: Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry (clove) bud is an important spice used in the preparation of several delicacies and in folklore for diabetes management. The present study was convened to assess the effects of dietary clove bud powder (CBP) on biochemical parameters in a type 2 diabetes rat model, induced by a combination of high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (35 mg kg⁻¹) for 30 days. RESULTS: Diabetic rats were placed on dietary regimen containing 20-40 g kg⁻¹ clove bud powder. The results revealed that there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the average feed intake and weight changes between the rat groups. Furthermore, supplementation with CBP gradually reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rat compared to control diabetic rats without CBP supplementation (DBC). Moreover, reduced activity of α-glucosidase was observed in CBP and metformin-treated rat groups when compared to that of the DBC rat group. In addition, the DBC group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher lipid concentrations (except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) when compared to all other groups. Furthermore, CBP had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced activity of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and showed elevated levels of antioxidant status (glutathione, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase and catalase). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the clove bud diet may attenuate hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in the type 2 diabetic condition.

Field experiment was carried out in Akure in the rainforest zone of Nigeria to determine the effect of poultry manure, wood ash and rice bran on the soil fertility improvement, growth and head yield of cabbage ( Brassica oleraceae L) in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons. The three organic fertilizer treatments were applied each at 6 t/ha with a reference treatment NPK 15-15-15 applied at 300 kg/ha and a control treatment arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed significant increases ( P < 0.05) in the growth and head yield parameters of cabbage crop under the different organic fertilizers compared to the control treatment. The application of poultry manure resulted in the highest values of cabbage plant height, stem girth, leaf number, leaf area, head weight, head length and head girth followed by NPK 15-15-15, wood ash and rice bran, respectively. Cabbage head weight, head girth, head length, plant height, stem girth, leaf number and leaf area increased by 17, 18, 8,17, 19, 10 and 16 %, respectively, with application of poultry manure compared to NPK fertilizer. Also, these parameters increased by 23, 21, 13 29, 25, 17 and 45 % compared to the wood ash treatment. The highest values of soil pH, Ca and Mg were obtained under wood ash application, while the highest values of soil O.M and moderate values of soil P, K, Ca and Mg were obtained under poultry manure application. Moderate values of soil pH, K, Ca and low % N were also recorded under rice bran treatment. However, the highest K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratios of 93.1, 74.1 and 572.1, respectively, were obtained under NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer application compared to 2:1 K/Ca, 2:1 K/Mg and 16:1 P/Mg in rice bran treatment. The poultry manure applied at 6 t/ha gave the best results in improving soil fertility, growth and head yield of cabbage, and this was because of its balanced nutrient composition and the least C/N ratio.

Rice blast disease is one of the major constraints to rice production, threatening food security globally. Rice grain production losses due to the disease leads economic losses to the farmers, and to an increase in global rice price as a result of the supply that is far below the consumer demand. The losses from the disease annually was estimated to feed over 60 million individual. The disease has been studied comprehensively by researchers due to the importance attached to rice and its vast spread and destructiveness across the globe. A good understanding of the pathogen causing the disease, its life cycle and development, epidemiology, symptoms, management strategy will offer a good insight into the disease incidence and give an appropriate and effective decision-making in its management. Different control measures have been adopted managing the disease, including the use of resistant varieties. Integrated disease management strategies coupled with good agronomy practices are required for successful control of rice blast for food security. This review, therefore, examined the fundamentals of rice blast disease (Magnaporthe oryzae) and offered strategies to minimize the disease activities to ensure proper production and increase the supply of rice grains.

Land-cover change has many environmental, physical, and socioeconomic significances. Therefore, the study investigated the consequence of Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) change on vegetation indices in oil palm producing Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) of Nigeria between 1989 and 2019 (30 years). Multistage sampling technique was used to sample 18 communities (six communities per each AEZ) that are known for oil palm production in the study area. Image processing and Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis was carried out. The result revealed that in the freshwater swamp AEZ, there was declining in areas covered by dense vegetation (72%) and wetland receded by 100% in the last 30 years. In the guinea savannah AEZ, the dense vegetation declines by 56.11% while built-up land and agricultural land increase by 169.06% and 17.98% respectively in the last 30 years. In the rainforest AEZ, there was 1689.43% increase in areas covered by sparse vegetation against 50.94% decline in dense vegetation. The study recommends that government and Non-Governmental Organizations should assist in formulating environmental policies that will protect the ecosystem in the study area.

In the present investigation, soils fallowed to Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), siam weed(Chromolaena odorata), spear grass (Imperata cylindrica) and soil cropped to cassava were chemicallyanalysed. Soil physical properties such as bulk density, total porosity and moisture content were alsodetermined. The soils were also used to grow maize in screen house. Soils fallowed to Tithonia andChromolaena had higher mineral values like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and alsoorganic matter. The plant morphological paramters like maize height, girth and leaf area were also found higherthan cropped land and soil fallowed to spear grass. Soils under Tithonia and Chromolaena had more favorablephysical properties compared with soils under cassava and spear grass as indicated by lower bulk density andhigher total porosity. This can be adduced to the ability of the Tithonia and Chromolaena weeds to protect thesoil, proliferate surface soil with their roots, and attract fungi, increase biomass and organic matter.

Alligator pepper [Aframomum melegueta Roscoe K. (Zingiberaceae)] seeds have been reportedly used in folkloric medicine in the management of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension with limited scientific basis for their action. This study was conducted to characterize the amino acids in Alligator pepper seeds (APS), assess their effects on lipid profile and enzyme linked to blood pressure regulation in hypercholesterolemic rat (rats fed 2% cholesterol diet) model. Free and total amino acids of APS were extracted and their various constituents were analyzed using the amino acid analyzer and ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of dietary inclusion of APS (2-4%) on the lipid profile, angiotensin I-enzyme (ACE) activity and antioxidant status in hypercholesterolemic rats (HCR) for 30days was assessed. The results suggest that APS may modulate blood lipid profile, ameliorate blood pressure, attenuate hepatotoxicity and exert antihypercholesterolemic effect. γ - amino butyric acid (GABA), tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan that were subsequently detected in APS. The observed salutary effects of APS may be attributed to the synergistic or/and additive actions of the amino acids present with other antioxidant phytoconstituents. These findings may therefore provide pharmacological basis for APS use in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

The effectiveness of newly developed organic and organomineral fertilizer (OMF) in improving nutrient availability soil physicochemical properties and performance of maize (Zea mays), pepper (Capsicum annum) and amaranthus (Amaranthus cruentus) was studied in experiments carried out at Akure in rainforest zone of Nigeria.Soils at sites of experiment were low in organic matter, N and P. Application methods of OMF were also studied in relation to performance of amaranthus.OMF, organic and NPK fertilizer (NPK) at 300 kg/ha increased soil and plant N, P, k, Ca, Mg and yield of maize, pepper and amaranthus.The 3.0 t/ha OMF gave highest maize cob and grain weight, whereas NPK gave highest number of pepper fruits.Increase in maize grain weight given by NPK and 3.0 t/ha OMF were 130% and 390% respectively.Increase in number of pepper fruits given by OMF, organic and NPK were 56%, 50% and 91% respectively.Fresh matter and leaf yield of amaranthus were increased by OMF applied by spot, ring and broadcast methods.Broadcast gave highest values of yield parameters, soil and plant nutrients content and highest soil moisture content.

Article Details: Received: 2020-04-02 | Accepted: 2020-06-19 | Available online: 2020-12-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.04.205-212 Three hundred 1-day old Cobb 500 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five experimental diets (60 birds/diet; 10 birds/ replicate) using a completely randomized design to assess the effects of wild sunflower and goat weed leaf meals composite mix (CLM) in broiler chickens. At the starter and finisher phases, a basic diet was formulated, divided into five equal parts and tagged diets 1 to 5. Diets 1 and 2 had 0% and 1.1% Oxytetracycline (Oxyt) supplementation; while the diets 3, 4 and 5 were supplemented with 0.4%, 0.8% and 1.2% CLM, respectively. In starter and finisher phases, the highest (P <0.05) body weight gain (BWG) was recorded in the birds fed diet 5 and 4, respectively compared to other diets. During the overall phase, birds fed diet 5 had the highest BWG, which was similar to those fed diet 4 but higher (P <0.05) than the birds fed the rest diets. The feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were influenced (P <0.05) by the CLM supplementation at the starter phase. The FCR recorded in birds fed the 1.1% Oxyt, 0.8% and 1.2% composite leaf mix supplemented diets (diets 2, 4, and 5) were similar (P >0.05) to those fed 0.4% CLM, but significantly better (P <0.05) the birds fed the control diet. The dietary CLM supplementation caused increased (P <0.05) serum catalase and glutathione peroxidase concentration. The meat cholesterol levels of the birds were significantly (P <0.05) reduced by dietary CLM supplementation. Conclusively, the CLM supplementation at 0.8% and 1.2% enhanced the BWG. CLM supplementation at 0.4%, 0.8 and 1.2% increased the serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity and reduced the broiler’s meat cholesterol. 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International audience

The proximate composition of fresh, smoked and deterorated fish samples (Tilapia zilli, Parachanna obscura and Clarias gariepinus) were determined using standard methods o analyses. It was revealed that Tilapia zilli contained; moisture 411 - 6733%, protein 20.10 – 6590%, ash 3.41 – 14.64 %, fat 4.44 – 7.73 % and carbohydrate 4.72 – 11.89 %, Parachanna obscura had moisture 6.47 - 68.61%, protein 18.23 – 6467%, ash 2.68 – 13.20 %, fat 3.55 – 8.87 % and carbohydrate 6.79 – 10.25 %, while Clarias gariepinus produced moisure 461- 56.99% protein 17.21 – 68.05%, ash 4.82 – 15.32 %, fat 4.79 – 8.19% and carbohydrate 1.92 – 17.35%. It wasobserved that smoke drying methods increased the protein, ash and fat contents of the samples. The low fat content observed for the deteriorating sample might be due o rancidity with the resultant rancid odour. Keywords: Tilapia zillii, Parachanna obscura, Clarias gariepinus, Smoke-drying, Proximate compositionAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (2) 2006 pp. 478-480

In a 42-day feeding trial, the effects of processed cocoa pod husk (PCHM) inclusion in a broiler chicken diet were assessed. This experiment was conducted between December 2017 and January 2018. Cocoa pod husk was collected and processed by ash treatment and rumen liquor fermentation to form a processed cocoa pod husk (PCHM). Three experimental diets were formulated at both the starter and finisher phases, in which PCHM was included at 0, 4 and 8% and designated as diets 1, 2 and 3, respectively. One hundred and eighty 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly distributed to three dietary treatments (10 birds/replicate; 60 birds/treatment) in a completely randomized design. The growth performance, carcass, relative internal organ weights and haemato-biochemical indices were determined. Histological examination of the liver and heart samples was also determined. The PCHM inclusion did not affect ( P > 0.05) the performance characteristics of the broiler chicks, except for the feed intake that significantly ( P < 0.05) increased in birds fed 8% of PCHM-inclusive diet at the starter phase. The carcass traits, relative internal organ weights, haematological indices and serum biochemical indices of the broiler chickens were similar ( P > 0.05) across the dietary treatments. The serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase concentration were higher ( P < 0.05) in birds fed PCHM-inclusive diets compared to those fed the control diet. Similar histological myocardiac cell appearances were observed among the birds across the various dietary treatments. Sections show the myocardium composed of the cardiac muscle with peripherally placed nucleus separated by a defined interstitium that is free of inflammatory cells and collections. In the birds fed diet 2 and 3, histological variations observed were marked vascular congestion and perivascular inflammatory cells infiltrations in the hepatic tissue and marked infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells around the vessels and activation of hepatic macrophage: Kupffer cells. Dietary PCHM inclusion up to 8% supports the performance, stability of haemato-biochemical indices and improved antioxidant status of the broiler chickens under heat stress condition. Histological changes were observed in the broiler chicken liver.

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The effects of dietary Mucuna pruriens leaf meal (MLM) supplementation on rabbits’ performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status outside their thermal neutrality zone (21 to 25°C) were evaluated. One hundred and twenty 35-d old crossbreed (Chinchilla×New Zealand) rabbits weighing 694±5 g were allotted to 4 treatments (30 rabbits/treatment; 3 rabbits/replicate). A basal diet (crude protein: 16.9%, crude fibre: 17.6%, digestible energy: 2671 kcal/kg) was divided into 4 equal portions i.e. diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, supplemented with 0, 4, 8 and 12 g MLM/kg, respectively, and pelleted. The average body weight in rabbits fed on diets 3 and 4 was higher compared to those fed on diet 1 (control) at 91 d of age (+228 and +262 g, respectively; P=0.01). Within 35 to 91 d, the average daily weight gain in rabbits fed on diets 3 and 4 was higher compared to those fed on the control diet (+4.1and +4.8 g/d, respectively; P=0.01). The dressing-out percentage of rabbits fed on diets 3 and 4 increased (P=0.05) compared to those fed the control diet. At 63 d and 91 d of age, the white blood cell level of rabbits fed on diet 4 increased significantly compared to those fed the control diet (+5.05×109 and +5.32×109/L, respectively). At 63 and 91 d of age, the cholesterol level of rabbits fed on diets 3 (–1.0 and –1.16 mmol/L, respectively) and 4 (–1.10 and –1.21 mmol/L, respectively), were significantly lower compared to those fed on the control diet. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration in rabbits fed on diet 4 was reduced compared to those on control diet at 63 d of age (–33.68 IU/L; P=0.02). At 63 d and 91 d of age, compared to control, the activities of glutathione peroxidase in rabbits fed on diets 3 (+35.77 and +49.09 mg protein, respectively) and 4 (+54.52 and +55.02 mg protein, respectively) increased significantly, while catalase activities in rabbits fed diet 4 (+217.7 and +209.5 mg/g, respectively) also increased significantly. It could be concluded that dietary MLM supplementation enhanced the rabbits’ performance, reduced serum AST and cholesterol and improved the antioxidant status.

Coffee has over the years remained of great importance to the global economy. Although the crop originated from Africa, its production is presently dominated by Brazil and Vietnam, which now respectively account for 34 and 13% of global production. Ethiopia and Uganda which are at the fore-front of production within sub-Saharan Africa account for 62% of the region’s coffee output. Out of the many species of coffee that exist, C. arabica (Arabica coffee) and C. canephora (Robusta coffee) are of outstanding economic importance. While the former does well on high altitudes (1000-2000 m above sea level), average temperature ranges of between 15 and 24°C, and 2000 mm rainfall per annum, the latter, which can thrive under hotter, drier conditions can be grown on altitudes of about 800 m above sea level. Generally speaking, optimal coffee-growing conditions include cool to warm tropical climates, rich soils, and few pests or diseases. Each of the grown species however does well under specific environmental conditions. The constantly increasing environmental temperatures, coupled with accompanying variations in weather conditions, have some direct debilitating effects on coffee production and quality. Pests and pathogens, being able to tolerate a wide range of temperature, have the capabilities to proliferate and negatively influence the crop’s yield, quality and production cost. In view of the the highlighted problems, some mitigation strategies have been developed by researchers to limit the extent of damage caused by global warming on coffee production in the region. Chief among these include genetic improvement/development of resistant cultivars, reforestation (planting under shade), high-density planting/irrigation, integrated pest management, improved access to climate information and reduction of green house gas emissions. These, among others would enhance the quantity and quality of coffee produced and consequently boost the region’s economy.

BACKGROUND: Ashanti pepper (Piper guineense Schumach et Thonn) seed is well known in folkloric medicine in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with little or no scientific documentation for its action. This study investigated the effect of Ashanti pepper seed on some enzymes relevant to carbohydrate hydrolysis, blood regulation and the cholinergic system, as well as the blood glucose level, lipid profile, antioxidant parameters, and hepatic and renal function markers in T2DM rats. METHODS: T2DM was induced by feeding rats with high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 days followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of 35 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ). Three days after STZ induction, diabetic rats were placed on a dietary regimen containing 2%-4% Ashanti pepper. RESULTS: Reduced blood glucose level with decreased α-amylase, α-glucosidase and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) activities were observed in Ashanti pepper seed and acarbose-treated rat groups when compared to that of the diabetic control rat group. Furthermore, the results revealed that inclusion of 2%-4% Ashanti pepper seed in diabetic rat fed group diets may ameliorate the lipid profile, antioxidant status, and hepatic and renal function in T2DM rats as much as in the acarbose-treated groups. In addition, a chromatographic profile of the seed revealed the presence of quercitrin (116.51 mg/g), capsaicin (113.94 mg/g), dihydrocapsaicin (88.29 mg/g) and isoquercitrin (74.89 mg/g). CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study clearly suggest that Ashanti pepper could serve as a promising source of phenolic compounds with great alternative therapeutic potentials in the management of T2DM.

The need for an increased production of vegetables to meet the dietary vitamin requirements of the people had necessitated a research in the use of manure in improving the soil fertility for an improved yield andquality of amaranth. The research was conducted in Obasoto Farm (latitude 7°10’N and longitude 5°37’E) in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria in the early and late seasons of 2007, 2008 and 2009. Theexperimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments replicated three times. The three treatments were 0 kg/ha manure, 2t/ha organic compost and 200 kg/ha NPK 15-15-15. Amaranthus cruentus seeds obtained from the Ondo State Agricultural Development Project were raised in the nursery and transplanted at a spacing of 10 x 20 cm into 1 x 3 meter manually prepared beds. Each manure type wasincorporated by ploughing it in while preparing the bed at 600 g organic compost and 60 g NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer per the 1 x 3 meter bed respectively. Pre-treatment and post planting soil samples were taken forlaboratory soil analysis of soil chemical properties for a comparison of the assessment of the cumulative effects of organic compost and inorganic fertilizer in improving soil fertility over a period of three years. The organicmatter increased by 23.3% and 0.6% in the second and third year respectively in the plot treated with organic compost, while there was no such increase trend in the plot treated with 200 kg NPK/ha. The organic matter content correlated positively with the yield and vitamin C content of amaranth.

An experiment was conducted at Akure, rainforest zone of Nigeria to evaluate the effectiveness of neem leaf, wood ash extracts, modified neem leaf extract, Apron star 42WS and Karate 720EC as seed treatment and pest control in maize. The organic treatment extracts namely neem leaf extract, wood ash extract applied at 1200ml per hectare and modified neem leaf extract (1:1 ratio 600ml wood ash + 600ml neem leaf extract) were compared with Apron star 42WS (seed treatment), Karate 720EC and control treatment (no neem leaf, wood ash extracts nor Karate), replicated four times and arranged in randomized complete block design. The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the germination counts, insect population, number of damaged leaves, growth and yield parameters of maize under different treatments compared to the control treatment. The modified neem leaf extract performed better in germination counts, reduction of damaged leaves, insect population and yield of maize than the sole application of neem leaf and wood ash. For percentage germination counts, Apron star 42WS had 65% followed by modified neem leaf extract (57%), wood ash extract (51%), neem leaf extract (47%) respectively. Modified neem leaf extract increased the leaf area, plant height and stem girth of maize by 8%, 5% and 7% respectively compared to the neem leaf (sole) extract. Generally, modified neem leaf extract had the best values of maize growth parameters followed by Karate, neem leaf and wood ash extracts respectively. Modified neem leaf extract decreased significantly the insect population, number of damaged leaves and number of holes per plant in maize by 33%, 70% and 30% respectively compared to the neem leaf extract (sole). When compared to modified neem extract, Karate decreased the number of damaged leaves per sample plot by 33%. However, there was no significant difference between karate and modified neem extract for insect population. For yield parameters, modified neem leaf extract significantly increased the maize yield gains by 15%, 14% and 2% compared to neem leaf, wood ash extracts and karate treatments respectively. However, wood ash and neem leaf extracts did not affect significantly the maize yield. Therefore, the modified neem leaf extract applied at 1200L/ha (3L/25m2) was most effective for pest control and seed treatment in maize crop.

This study was carried out to estimate factors influencing the multidimensional poverty status of rural households in Ogun State, Nigeria.A multistage sampling technique was used to select 240 rural households.Data was obtained through the use of a structured interview schedule, and was analyzed with descriptive techniques, multidimensional poverty index and logistic regression models.The result revealed that 69% of the rural households are multidimensionally poor.It was found that (on average) the rural poor households were deprived in 41% of the weighted indicators.Another finding is that rural households were deprived in 28% of total deprivations they could experience.It was also revealed that deprivation in infrastructure contributed most to the total deprivation experienced, followed by deprivation in living standard, social capital, health and education.The study further found that household size (p < 0.05), gender (p < 0.01), off-farm income (p < 0.1), availability of community health extension workers (p < 0.05) and availability of public market (p < 0.1) significantly influence the poverty status of rural households.The study concluded that an increase in household size increases the likelihood of being multidimensionally poor while an increase in off-farm income, access to public market and health extension services reduce the likelihood of being poor.The study recommended that rural farmers diversify their livelihood sources into off-farm activities during their lean periods as this will be instrumental in reducing their poverty status.Also, infrastructural facilities such as good healthcare services and public markets should be put in place as this will go a long way in reducing the poverty status of the rural farmers.

This study aimed at determining the effect of pawpaw leaf meal (PLM 26.14% crude protein [CP] and 16.06% crude fiber [CF]) and multi-enzyme (m-E: amylase, beta-glucanase, phytase, cellulase, and xylanase, protease) supplementation in diets on performance, nutrient digestibility, and oxidative status of rabbits. Four experimental diets were formulated and designated as diet 1(0%PLM-m-E), diet 2(0%PLM + m-E), diet 3(10%PLM-m-E), and diet 4(10%PLM + m-E). One hundred and twenty (120), 5-week-old rabbits of cross breed rabbits (Chinchilla x New-Zealand white) of equal sexes; weighing 738.21 ± 33 g were randomly distributed to 4 dietary treatments (30 rabbits/treatment; 3 rabbits/replicate). Highest weight gain being recorded in rabbits fed diet 4 is similar to the weight gain recorded for rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 but higher ( P < 0.05) than weight gain of rabbits fed diet 1. Best feed conversion ratio (FCR) recorded in rabbits fed diet 4 was comparable to the FCR of rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 but higher ( P < 0.05) than FCR of rabbits fed diet 1. Higher CP digestibility recorded in rabbits fed diets 2 and 4 were similar to CP digestibility in rabbits fed diet 3 but higher ( P = 0.01) than CP digestibility in rabbits fed with diet 1. The starch digestibility was higher ( P < 0.05) in the rabbits fed m-E supplemented diets 2 and 4. Higher ( P < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were recorded in rabbits fed with diets 3 and 4. PLM inclusion and m-E supplementation improved performance, crude protein, and starch digestibility and antioxidant enzyme status of the rabbits.