Effect of Replacing Groundnut Cake with Various Nitrogen Sources of Arid Region on Nutrient Utilization and Rumen Fermentation Pattern in Marwari Goats Sharma Sanjita*, Sharma Vishnu, Purohit G.R. Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner-334006, India * Reprint request: Sanjita Sharma; drsanjitas@yahoo.co.in
Abstract An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of replacing groundnut cake with different nitrogen sources of arid zone on feed intake, nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation pattern. Various sources used were tumba (Citrullus colocynthis), taramira (Eruca sativa) and matira (Citrullus lanatus) oilseed cakes and compared with conventional groundnut cake in beri pala (Ziziphus nummularia) leaf based complete diets for Marwari goats. A metabolic trial was conducted on 16 mature bucks. The control diet (T1) contained 50:50 concentrate-roughage ratio with conventional protein source groundnut cake (GNC). In experimental diets 50 per cent nitrogen of GNC was replaced by Tumba (T2), Taramira (T3) and Matira (T4) oilseed cakes. No significant difference was observed for digestibility of various nutrients except fibre. In T2 group i.e. tumba cake, CF digestibility vary significantly (P<0.05) with T3 group i.e. taramira seed cake. Statistically no significant differences was observed for digestible dry matter intake (DDMI), digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). All the animals of four treatment groups had positive balances regarding nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus and no significant differences was observed for rumen parameters viz., rumen pH, total volatile fatty acids, rumen ammonia nitrogen and total protozoal count. Study suggests that 50 per cent nitrogen of GNC can be easily replaced with tumba, taramira and matira seed cakes for effective goat production in arid regions. Top Keywords Nitrogen sources, Arid region, Nutrient utilization, Marwari goat. Top |