Impact of herbal feed additives on the degradability of feed stuffs in-vitro

Herbal feed additives; Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), Leptidenia reticulata (Jiwanti), Eclipta alba (Bhringraj), Kutakipicorrhiza (Kutki), Foeniculum vulgare (Saunf), Plumbago zeylanica (Chitrak), Ancthum sowa (Soe), Cuminum cyminum (Jeera), Cyperus scariosas (Mustak) were used, either individually or in combination, at 0, 0.4, 0.8 or 1.2 per cent level, to assess their effect on in vitro gas production and digestibility of nutrients, using berseern and wheat straw as substrates.

The effect of individual herb, irrespective of level or type of substrate used, indicated that net gas production, true organic matter digestibility and availability of metabolizable energy (ME) from the substrate were highest (P<0.05) when supplemented with either bhringraj, kutki or jeera. The net gas production and availability of ME from the substrate improved (P<0.05) on supplementation of herbal feed additives, irrespective of level and type of herb or substrate used, compared to un-supplemented substrate. Results also revealed that supplementation of herbs beyond 0.4 per cent showed no additional benefits as far as utilization of nutrients was concerned. Between the substrates tested, berseern proved to be more responsive to herbal additives than wheat straw.

The nine herbal feed additives were, divided into 3 groups viz. shatavari-jiwanti-bhringraj; mustak-jeera-saunf or kutki-chitrak-soe and mixed either in 3:1:2 or 1:1:1; 3:1:2 or 1:1:1; 1:4:2 or 1:1:1 ratio, respectively. Each combination was tested at four levels (0, 0.4, 0.8 or 1.2 per cent) of supplementation. The digestibility of nutrients and availability of ME were highest (P<0.05) when a combination of shatavari-jiwanti-bhringraj was supplemented in 3: 1: 2 ratio at 0.4 per cent level (irrespective of level, proportion of mixing and type of substrate used) and was considered as the best combination, which may be further exploited for improving the production status of dairy cows.