Abstract
A study was carried out to investigate the nutritive value and utilization of hybrid sorghum and perennial grass species viz. setaria (Setaria anceps) and hybrid napier when intercropped with soybean by growing Jersey crossbred heifers. Fifteen growing crossbred heifers (Jersey×Red Sindhi) of between 7-10 months age and pre-trial average body weight of 49-50 kg were divided on the basis of weight in to three treatment groups viz. T1-hybrid sorghum+soybean, T2-setaria+soybean and T3-hybrid napier+soybean in a completely randomized block design. Intercropped forages were harvested fresh, chaffed and mixed before they were offered to the heifers. Chemical composition of the herbage, dry matter intake (DMI), body weight gain and nutrient digestibility co-efficients were estimated. The herbage mixtures had crude protein (CP) content in the range of 11.87 to 13.86% and ether extract (EE) contents were 2.91 to 3.11%, respectively. The herbage mixtures were rich in minerals (ash). The gross energy (kcal/g DM) was higher in hybrid napier+soybean, while hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures had lower value for gross energy. The hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures had higher contents of NDF, ADF, cellulose, lignin and silica as compared to that of hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture. The heifers fed hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture had significantly (p<0.05) higher DMI g/kg W 0.75 (97.41±4.34) as compared to hybrid sorghum+soybean (88.31±2.66) and setaria+soybean (79.29±1.06) herbage mixtures. Nutrients digestibility, DCP percent, DCP intake and nitrogen balance were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the heifers fed on hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture. There was a significant (p<0.05) difference among different herbage mixtures in TDN. The heifers on setaria+soybean herbage mixture had lower average body weight gain (g/day) than those on hybrid sorghum+soybean and hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixtures. Data obtained in this experiment demonstrated that herbage mixture of hybrid napier+soybean was better than hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures in the nutrition of growing heifers. It had highest nutritive value, better digestibility co-efficients which showed better growth rate and higher feed efficiency. In ranking, hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture was better followed by hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean in nutritive value in the parameters studied. For future wasteland development program in humid-sub tropics of Himachal Pradesh hybrid napier and its intercropping with soybean is recommended for general adoption because of its better adaptability and higher nutritive value. (Asian- Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 12 : 1754-1759)
Highlights
In the humid- subtropics of Himachal Pradesh, the major source of roughage for feeding of livestock are the mixed green grasses available during monsoons from the local grasslands and wastelands, tree leaves, besides, crop residues like paddy straw, wheat straw, maize stovers etc
Fifteen growing crossbred heifers (Jersey×Red Sindhi) Mean of dry matter (DM) and chemical composition of between 7 to 10 months of age and pre-trial average live the different herbage mixtures fed to the heifers are weight 49.0 to 50 kg were divided on the basis of weight in presented in the Table 1
The hybrid napier+soybean mixture had previously been disinfected. They were drenched with a had higher contents of ether extract (EE) and gross energy dewormer (Albendazole) prior to the start of the experiment. as compared to other herbage mixtures
Summary
In the humid- subtropics of Himachal Pradesh, the major source of roughage (green as well as dry) for feeding of livestock are the mixed green grasses available during monsoons from the local grasslands and wastelands, tree leaves, besides, crop residues like paddy straw, wheat straw, maize stovers etc. Increasing human population and growing preference for cultivating food and commercial crops are sparing only a limited area for fodder production. To bridge the gap between green fodder availability and its requirements, use of wastelands with improved forage varieties and their intercropping with legumes and adoption of improved agronomic methods are necessary. NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF INTERCROPPED PERENNIAL GRASSES WITH LEGUME IN GROWING HEIFERS evaluate hybrid sorghum, perennial grasses viz. Setaria and separately, oven dried, milled and stored in airtight bottles hybrid napier intercropped with soybean in diets of growing until required for analysis. NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF INTERCROPPED PERENNIAL GRASSES WITH LEGUME IN GROWING HEIFERS evaluate hybrid sorghum, perennial grasses viz. setaria and separately, oven dried, milled and stored in airtight bottles hybrid napier intercropped with soybean in diets of growing until required for analysis. 24 h urine output of individual
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