DefinePK

Abstract

In 4 x 4 LSD, four rumen fistulated Murrah bulls (6 yrs; 353 ± 8.26 kg) were fed four iso-nitrogenous complete rations comprising of jowar stover (T1), maize stover (T2), red gram straw (T3) and black gram straw (T4) and concentrate mixture in 60:40 proportion, to study the effect on rumen fermentation pattern. The mean pH values were lower (P<0.01) in T1 and T2 when compared to T3 and T4 while mean TVFA concentration was significantly (p<0.01) higher in T2 and T4 compared to T1 and T3. The ammonia N concentration was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T3 while residual N concentration was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T1 compared to other treatments. Time of sampling had a significant (P<0.01) effect on rumen fermentation. Peak concentration of TVFA was recorded 4 h post feeding while for N fractions it is 2 h post feeding irrespective of the treatments. Thus, it was concluded that feeding of crop residue based complete rations provided an optimum rumen environment in graded Murrah bulls for effective nitrogen utilization and total volatile fatty acid production