Performance of growing lambs on rations containing <i>Lathyrus </i>grainsas protein source

Abstract

The effect of feeding Lathyrus grain as substitute of GNC protein in the diet of lambs was studied for nutrient utilization, blood and rumen metabolites and growth performance. Jalauni lambs (n=18) weighing around 16.45±1.50 kg were randomly allocated into three dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design. In the control group (LG0), the animals were fed ad lib. green chaff of fodder Sorghum bicolor cv. M. P. Chari with concentrate mixture as per requirement whereas in the LG50 and LG100, the crude protein of groundnut cake was replaced @50% and 100% with Lathyrus grain (LG) protein in the concentrate mixture, respectively. Supplementation of LG did not influence the total DMI (g/day) in animals of different experimental groups. Digestibility(%) of DM, OM, and cell wall polysaccharides (NDF, ADF, cellulose) was also comparable amongst the different dietary groups, while CP digestibility was higher in LG50 group than LG0 or LG100 group. Digestible crude protein (DCP) content was higher in LG50 than LG0 or LG 100 whereas total digestible nutrients (TDN) contents were comparable amongst the treatment groups. Similarly, rumen metabolites and all the blood parameters were comparable among the groups and within the normal physiological range. The daily body weight gain was not affected with the experimental diets. It could be concluded that Lathyrus grain could be used as an alternative source of protein in the concentrate mixture without any adverse impacts on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites and growth performance of Jalauni lambs.