Phalaris minor seeds-substitute of wheat grains in the diet of buffaloes

The nutritional worth of Phalaris minor (Gulli danda) seeds, in comparison to conventional cereal grains like wheat was assessed in buffaloes. Male buffaloes (20; 401.7±1.3 kg BW) divided into 5 equal groups were offered isonitrogenous concentrate mixtures in which 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent of wheat grains were replaced with P. minor seeds. The concentrate mixtures were supplemented with naturally fermented wheat straw in 40:60 ratio. These diets were also fed to 6 rumen fistulated male buffaloes to assess the effect of Phalaris minor seeds as replacement of wheat grains on the biochemical changes in the rumen. The level of P. minor had no adverre effect on the palatabillty, nutrients digestibility, nitrogen retention or nutritive value of the complete feed. The low (P<0.05) NPN concentration in the strained rumen liquor (SRL) was responsible for high (P<0.05) TCA-N in the SRL and also for low (P<0.05) blood urea-N in 100% replacement group. Animals in all the groups exhibited gain in body weight, but the differences among the groups were statistically non significant. It was concluded that P. minor seeds could replace wheat grains up to 100% on nitrogen basis without any deleterious effect on the nutrient utilization or health of buffaloes.