DefinePK

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different wheat varieties on nutritional value in grains and straw fed to lohi sheep. At harvest, samples of wheat plants (whole) from 11 irrigated and 8 varieties of rain-fed areas grown under uniform agronomic conditions were collected. Chemically dry matter (DM), crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE), and total ash content of grains from different varieties differed significantly (P<0.05) except crude protein (CP) and macro-minerals concentrations. Straws of different wheat varieties were statistically similar (P>0.05) in DM, total ash, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and macro-minerals but differences in CP, CF and EE contents were significant. Nitrogen free extract (NFE) of different varieties of wheat was different and ranged from 40.52 to 45.99%. Two lohi male sheep fitted with permanent ruminal cannulas (40mm diameter) were used for determining in-situ digestibility (%) of DM, NDF and ADF of straw. Digestibility of these nutrients was observed highest in Wafaq-2001, while lowest in Marvi-2000, and the difference was significant. Grains to straw ratios were maximum in Chenab-2000 (1:1.95) and minimum in A.S 2003 (1:1.18). From the results, we conclude that straw of Wafaq-2001 was found to be higher quality in terms of DM, NDF and ADF in situ digestibility; therefore, this may be better for feeding ruminants compared to other varieties.