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Sixteen adult male Murrah buffaioes were randomly distributed into 4 equal groups. Animals In all the groups were offered wheat straw and UMMB lick ad lib and crushed maize grains to meet the energy requirement. In addition to this, animals In group 1 to 4 were offered urea @ 0, 15, 30 and 45 g per animal per day, respectively to study the effect of different rumen ammonia concentration on UMMB intake Vis-a-Vis the intake and digestibility of different nutrients. No significant differences were observed In intake of UMMB, wheat straw, total DM and TDN In the 4 groups but CP Intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group 4 as compared to groups 1 and 2. Similarly, the digestibility of nutrient in the 4 groups were alike, thedifferenees being statistically non-significant exceptthat for CP which was significantly (P<0.01) higher in group 4. Apparently, the N balance was In Increasing order from group 1 to 4, but the differences were not significant. There was no significant effect of different levels of urea supplementation on blood constituents like urea, protein and ammonia. It appears that the fermentable nitrogen from UMMB alone was not sufficient to meet animals requirement when fed on dry fodder. The supplementation of urea alongwith UMMB improved the N status of the animals.
