Two experiments were conducted in this study. In experiment 1, five fistulated bullocks were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments (T1: lime treated paddy straw enriched with urea, T2, T3, T4: Same as T but phosphoric acid was added in straw to make up Ca: P ratio as 2:1, 4:1 and 6:1 in T2, T3 and T4 respectively and T5 untreated paddy straw supplemented with concentrate mixture) to meet energy and protein requirements in 5x5 Latin square switchover design. The TVFA and pH did not differ significantly (P>0.fll) among the 5 treatments. The ruminal NH -N was significantly higher on T4 than on T1 and T5 diets. Dry matter intake (kg/100 kg B.W.) did not differ significantly among dietary treatments in fistulated bullocks. In experiment- II Thirty crossbred heifers (10–16 m 82–171 kg BW) randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 each were allotted to same 5 dietary treatments in experiment 1 The digestibilitv coefficients of OM NDF ADF and hemicellulose did not differ significantlv aniong the 5 treatments Digestibilitv of crude protein (CP) was higher on T diet (control) than on T2, T3 and T4 diets which did not differ significantly aniong themselves The digestible dry matter intake was significantly hieher (P<0 01) on T3 diet than on T4 and T (control) diets and was non-significantly higher on T3 than on T1 and T2 diets Average daily weight gain was hiehest on T5 diet (+ve control) but it did not differ significantlv from that as T3 diet It mav be concluded that feeding f lime treated paddy straw did not affect rumen function and diet T3 was best amnnp the experimental rations.
Paddy straw, Lime treatment, Phosphoric acid suppiementaiion, Nutrient utilization, Cross-bred heifers
