Effect of Sulphur Supplementation on Nutrient Utilization of Wheat Straw Based Complete Feed Blocks with Fungal Zoospores in Buffalo Calves.

Eighteen Murrah female buffalo calves of similar age and body weight were randomly divided into three groups of six each. Animals in group 1 were fed on complete feed blocks (concentrate mixture 50%, wheat straw 43%, 6% molasses and 1% urea) along with 2 kg green oats, while those in experimental groups were fed similar blocks but supplemented with purified fungal zoospores of Neocallimastix spp. GR-1 alone (Group II) or in combination with 1% sodium sulphate (Group III) for a period of 120 days. Nutrients intake was similar amongst groups, however, digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NFE, ADF, NDF and cellulose was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group III than the other two groups. DCP and TDN values of fungal zoospore and sulphur supplemented feed blocks were higher (p<0.05) than other type of feed blocks.