Effect of supplementation of phosphorus on nutrient utilization in buffaloes

Adult male Murrah buffaloes (3; 387.6 ± 5.9 kg BW) in a 3 x 3 latin square design were used to assess the utilization of phosphorus from two phosphorus supplements. Animals were fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous control ration (T₁) of wheat straw and concentrate mixture. In the experimental groups the T₁ ration was supplemented with P either from dicalcium phosphate (T₂) or diammonium phosphate (T₃). Animals under T₃ group were also supplemented with a calcium carbonate so as to maintain the Ca: P ratio 1: 1 in all groups. The source of phosphorus did not affect the digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen retention, serum calcium, plasma inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase activity and plane of nutrition but retention of Ca and P was improved significantly (P<0.01) as compared to animal in the control group. The availability of phosphorus from both the sources i.e. dicalcium phosphate (49.9%) and diammonium phosphate (41.4%) was comparable. It was concluded that diammonium phosphate can safely and economically replace dicalcium phosphate in the ration of buffaloes, without any adverse effect on nutrient utilization.