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Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition
Year : 2022, Volume : 39, Issue : 4
First page : ( 387) Last page : ( 395)
Print ISSN : 0970-3209. Online ISSN : 2231-6744.
Article DOI : 10.5958/2231-6744.2022.00044.5

Effect of feeding zuri (Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri) fodder as a sole diet on nutrient intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters in murrah buffalo bulls

Babu Ch. Ramesh, Kishore K. Raja*, Kumar D. Srinivas, Kumar K. Aswani, Seshaiah Ch. Venkata

Department of Animal Nutrition, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavarm-521 102, Andhra Pradesh, India

*Correspondence: dr_rajakishore@yahoo.co.in

Online published on 22 March, 2023.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding Zuri fodder on nutrient intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation pattern in Murrah buffalo bulls. Six buffalo bulls (7 yrs; 304 ± 8.64 kg), three buffalo bulls fitted with permanent rumen cannula were used for the feeding trial (66 days) and rumen fermentation studies, respectively. The average voluntary feed intake (kg/day) on fresh basis was 41.47 and the average DM intake (% BW) was 2.25 in buffalo bulls fed Zuri fodder. The digestibility coefficients (%) of gross nutrients and fibre fractions showed better digestibility and were higher compared to many other Guinea varieties. All the buffalo bulls were in positive N, Ca and P balance indicating better utilization of nutrients. The average DMI (kg/d) of buffalo bulls (6.85) met the requirements for maintenance. The pre cent DCP (8.46) and TDN (49.78) in the fodder consumed met the ICAR standards and was attributed to the better nutrient digestibilities. The DM, DCP, TDN and ME intakes per KgW0.75 in buffalo bulls fed Zuri fodder were 93.92, 7.95, 46.77 and 0.17, respectively. Rumen fermentation parameters revealed that rumen pH values were highest at 0 h and declined to minimum by 6 h post feeding, while TVFA reached peak at 6 h post feeding and NH3-N reached peak at 2 h post feeding and later followed a decreasing trend which is attributed to better microbial fermentation. It was concluded that feeding Zuri fodder to buffalo bulls had no adverse effects and evinced better nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation parameters and plane of nutrition.

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Keywords

Apparent digestibility, Nutrient utilization, Rumen fermentation, Zuri fodder.

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