75 Present address: 1 ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati, Assam.  Corresponding author email: barman74@gmail.com Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 90 (8): 1155–1158, August 2020/Article https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v90i8.109298 Effect of replacing groundnut cake with dried Moringa oleifera leaves on growth and nutrient utilization in crossbred (Hampshire × Ghungroo) grower pigs KESHAB BARMAN 1 , SANTANU BANIK 1 , RANJENDRAN THOMAS 1 , SUNIL KUMAR 1 , ANIL KUMAR DAS 1 , KARABEE DUTTA 1 and SWARAJ RAJKHOWA 1 ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati, Assam 781 131 India Received: 2 October 2019; Accepted: 1 January 2020 ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacement of groundnut cake with dried Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves on growth and nutrient utilization in crossbred grower pigs. Eighteen crossbred (Hampshire × Ghungroo) grower pigs (about 2 months old, body wt. 12–14 kg) of either sex were divided into three groups of six each in a randomized block design. Three different diets were used for feeding of the animals. These were namely, T 1 (standard grower ration without dried Moringa leaves), T 2 (standard grower ration supplemented with 5% dried Moringa leaves by replacing groundnut cake) and T 3 (standard grower ration supplemented with 10% dried Moringa leaves by replacing groundnut cake). The pigs were fed on the experimental grower rations twice daily in the morning and evening. The crude protein content (% DM) of the grower ration ranged from 18.82±0.08 to 20.36±0.06 while that of Moringa leaves was 15.11±0.73. The average dry matter intake was (kg/d) 0.62, 0.62 and 0.60 respectively in T 1 , T 2 and T 3 groups which were found similar across all the groups. Digestibility coefficients (%) of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen free extracts increased in Moringa supplemented groups. While crude protein digestibility was higher in T 2 group in comparison to other two groups. Nitrogen balance (g/d) was positive across all the groups and values were 16.10, 16.79 and 15.38 in groups T 1 , T 2 and T 3 respectively. The absorbed N (g/d) was significantly higher in T 1 group (19.23) in comparison to the other two groups. However, there was no significant difference in absorbed N (g/d) in group T 1 and T 2 . The absorbed N as percent intake, net protein utilization and biological value were similar across all the groups. The average body weight gain (g/day) was higher in Moringa leaves supplemented groups. The cost (`/kg gain) was reduced in T 2 and T 3 groups in comparison to T 1 . The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher in group T 3 and lower in T 2 group. From this study, it is concluded that dried Moringa leaves can be supplemented @ 5% level by replacing groundnut cake in grower crossbred pigs for better growth, nutrient utilization, feed conversion efficiency and also to lessen the feed cost. Keywords: Crossbred pig, Groundnut cake, Moringa leaf, Nutrient utilization, Replacement Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) is a multipurpose tropical tree. It is mainly used for food and has numerous industrial, medical and agricultural uses, including animal feeding. It has been called the ‘miracle tree’ or ‘tree of life’ in popular media (FAO 2014, Radovich 2009, Orwa et al. 2009, Bosch 2004). India is the largest producer of Moringa in the world, with an annual production of 1.1 to 1.3 million tonnes of tender fruits (Drumstick) from plot of 380 km². Average yields of 6 tonnes/ha/year in fresh matter can be achieved. The leaves are nutritious and rich in protein, vitamins (A, B and C) and minerals. Protein of Moringa has high biological value (Zarkadas et al. 1995). All essential amino acids present in Moringa are in a concentration greater than the one recommended by FAO and WHO mentioned in the feed reference that is soybeans (Zarkadas et al. 1995). In pig farming, feed costs alone represent more than 70– 75% of total cost of production. In intensive pig production, pig directly compete with humans for feeding, since conventional fattening is based on feeding cereals like maize, wheat, oats, barley etc along with other protein, mineral and vitamin supplements. Farmers cannot support costly feeding program because of high cost of cereals and oil cakes. As a result, animal nutritionist used to search for new feed especially unconventional feeds in order to produce economical feeding program for swine and other livestock. Moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera) is one of such unconventional feed for pigs. Moringa leaves are a valuable source of protein (23–24% on DM). It increases the growth rate, milk yield as well as birth weight of dairy calves (Reyes et al. 2006). The dried leaves of Moringa had 19 amino acids. Mukumbo et al. (2014) reported that 5% moringa leaf meal can be included in the finisher pig ration without any adverse effect on feed conversion ratio, carcass and