Study on Effects of Jackfruit Leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus) on Morphology and Growth of Goats and Fitting the Linear Equations

Abstract

Background: Farmers must adapt to alternative feeding of goats rather than traditional feeding regimes to increase growth performances and reduce costs for rearing goats. This study delves into the impact of incorporating jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus) into the diets of Totapari goats, focusing on growth performance. Furthermore, the study examines morphological traits such as heart girth, body length, and birth weight in male and female Totapari goats. For better decision-making and proper management, the use of mathematical models to predict values from partially or incompletely recorded data can be a great option. The study employs linear and polynomial regression models to predict body weight based on age and feeding regime. Methods: The study involved feeding two groups of goats: one group received a traditional diet, while the other group's diet included jackfruit leaves. The growth performance of these goats was monitored over a month. The study utilized linear and polynomial regression models to predict body weight. The goodness of fit of these models was evaluated through R-squared values. Result: The study found that goats fed with jackfruit leaves showed slightly higher growth rates, particularly among younger animals. The quadratic polynomial model was the best fit for predicting body weight, closely followed by the linear model. These models demonstrated high R2 values, indicating a strong fit to the data.