Effect of Nitrogen Application and Maturity of Mottgrass (pennisetum purpureum) on its Chemical Composition, Nutrients Digestibility and Ruminal Characteristics in Buffalo Bulls

Four ruminaliy cannulated buffalo bulls were fed mottgrass diets using 4x4 Latin square design. Treatments were applied in factorial arrangement and consisted of mottgrass fertilized with 0 or 85.2 kg nitrogen (N) per ha and harvested at 40 and 60 days of age. Nitrogen application improved the concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in early-cut mottgrass (ECM) but, the acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents were higher in the late-cut mottgrass (LCM). The crude protein (CP) content of the mottgrass decreased with maturity, but N application increased CP content at both harvesting stages. The intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) CP, NDF and ADF were higher by buffalo bulls fed ECM than those fed LCM. The luminal pH increased during first 6 h post-feeding in animals fed N fertilized mottgrass. The digestibilities of DM OM, CP NDF and ADF were higher in buffalo bulls fed ECM than those fed LCM. However the application of N fertilizer did not affect the digestibility of these nutrients.