Chemical Composition and Nutrient Utilization in Buffaloes (Bos bubalsf)^T Fed Healthy and Diseased Groundnut (Arachis hypogoed) Haulms

The chemical composition and nutritive value between healthy (T₁) and diseased (T₂) groundnut haulms (TMV-2 variety) were compared in adult male buffaloes using randomized block design. There was a decrease in CP, EE, NFE, total ash, hemi-cellulose in T₂ as compared to T₁. The digestibility coefficient for diseased groundnut haulms were lower for DM, OM, CP, NFE, NDF, ADF and cellulose and significant different (P<0.01) from healthy groundnut haulms. The percent DMI recorded was higher (2.56%) in T₁ as compared to T₂ (1.73%). The DCP and TDN values were hieher in T₁ with 5.16 and 53.41 percent as compared to T₂ with 2.72 and 49.18 percent, respectively. Thus it can be concluded that diseased groundnut haulms showed lower feed intake and poor nutritive value as compared to healthy groundnut haulms. Based on the data available on comparative evaluation of feeding healthy versus diseased groundnut haulms it is inferred that the healthy groundnut haulms can be safely be fed to buffaloes to meet its maintenance requirements, whereas, the same can not hold good for diseased groundnut haulms.