Abstract
This study examined the influence of re-growth periods on chemical composition, biomass production, nutritive value and digestion kinetics of Setaria sphacelata (SS) and Cenchrus ciliaris (CC) in ruminally cannulated buffalo bulls. Two re-growth intervals i.e. clipping every month (CI1) and clipping after every two months (CI2) were compared with the control (clipped after 4 months). Mean values of leaf to stem ratio in SS and CC grasses were decreased (p<0.05) with increasing re-growth interval. The lowest leaf to stem ratio was recorded in control plots of both grasses. In both grasses, increasing growth period increased the concentrations of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and organic matter (OM) and decreased crude protein (CP). Mean dry herbage, OM and CP yields of SS and CC were increased (p<0.05) with increasing re-growth interval. Ruminal DM and NDF digestibilities of SS and CC were decreased (p<0.05) with increasing interval. Ruminal rate of DM and NDF disappearance was higher while the ruminal lag time of these nutrients was lower with monthly than with bi-monthly clipping interval. The results from present study imply that SS and CC clipped after every two months is more beneficial than when clipped every month or every four months in terms of optimal biomass with adequate nutritional value for buffaloes. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 3 : 381-385)
Highlights
Efficient defoliation regimens for range grasses are prerequisite for the sustainability of grass lands and animal agriculture (Sarwar et al, 2006)
In plastic bags for chemical analysis. The samples of both grasses were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total Statistical analysis ash by using AOAC (1990) method, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) by method of Van The data collected on different parameters were
The lowest leaf to stem ratio was recorded in control plots of both grasses
Summary
Efficient defoliation regimens for range grasses are prerequisite for the sustainability of grass lands and animal agriculture (Sarwar et al, 2006). Setaria sphacelata (SS) is native to northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and has been developed for grazing and hay production in tropical regions Plants of this grass species attain a height of 1 m at flowering. Cenchrus ciliaris (CC) is another aggressive perennial grass of arid tropical habitats around the globe It is preferred in tropical range lands because of its better forage nutritive value for ruminants (Duke, 1983; Evitayan et al, 2004) and its ability to recover from grazing due to rapid formation of dense monocultures. Too frequent defoliation of range grasses resulted in weak plants with more susceptibility to drought, heat, cold, injury and prevalent diseases (Svejcar and Rittenhouse, 1982) This necessitates determination of an appropriate clipping regimen of range grasses. This study was conducted to determine the influence of re-growth periods on chemical composition, biomass production, nutritive value and digestion kinetics of SS and CC in ruminally cannulated buffalo bulls
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