Nitrogen solubility and protein fractions of grasses

Twelve grasses such as Brachiaria species, Cymbopogan citratus (lemon grass), Dicanthium annulatum (marvel grass), Panicum maximum (guinea grass), Pennisetum purpureum (Napier), Pennisetum polystachyon (Napier thin), Napier-3, Napier-7 Stylosanthus scabra, Stylosanlhus hamata, Setaria spahealata (nandi grass) and Vetiver zizanoides (vetiver grass) supplied by the Agriculture Department were analyzed for proximate and fibre constituents, nitrogen solubility, fibre bound nitrogen and nitrogen fractions. The CP content was highest (14.2%) in S. scabra and lowest in C. citratus (6.7%). The NDF content was highest in V. zizanoides (82.1%) and lowest in S. scabra (52.7%), while ADF content was highest in V. zizanoides (48.7%) and lowest in S. hamata (29.5%). The Ca and P contents were below 1 percent in all the samples. The ND1N was highest in D. annulatum and lowest in S. scabra while the AD IN was highest in V. zizanoides and lowest in S. hamata. The N solubility in borate phosphate buffer ranged from 20.3% (Brachiaria species) to 76.3% (S. hamata). It was concluded that P. polystachyon, P. purpureum, Napier-3, Napier-7, S. spahealata and S. scabra can serve as good fodder are good grasses for ruminants.