Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781 022, India
Online published on 21 January, 2012.
The nutritive value of a luxuriant, local fodder Aruna (Scaria palmifoliat) grass found in plains and hilly tracts of North-Eastern stale of India was determined by conducting a metabolism and balance trial in 5 crossbred cattle. The voluntary DM intake was 2.1 ±0.04 kg per 100 kg body weight. The digestibility co-efficients of DM, EE, CF and NFE were 64.57±1.68, 62.53±1.61, 63.85±1.75, 72.05±1.30 and 62.33±1.87, respectively. Anuna grass contained 8.76±0.23% DCP, 57.87±1.46% TDN, 48.52±1.56% SE 2553 Kcal DE, and 2093 Kcal ME/kg in DM basis. The positive N, Ca, P balances suggested the suitability of the fodder for cattle.
