In Vitro Evaluation of Moth (Phaseolus aconitifolius) Fodder, Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) Leaves and Their Combinations in Camel

Five dietary combinations were prepared for camel by substituting moth fodder (Phaseolus acontifolius) with khejri leaves (Prosopis cineraria) at 10 (Mix-10), 15 (Mix-15), 20 (Mix-20), 25 (Mix-25) and 30% (Mix-30) on DM basis. Cumulative gas production was maximum for moth (P<0.05) fodder compared to khejri leaves and it decreased with increasing levels of khejri in the mixtures. The maximum rate of gas production was highest for moth fodder followed by Mix-10 and lowest for Mix-30. The disappearance of DM, OM and NDF reduced gradually with increasing levels of khejri in mix combinations. The concentrations of both VFAs and NH₃-N/total N were significantly (P<0.05) higher in case of moth fodder or Mix-10 compared with khejri leaves alone or Mix-30. The levels of microbial protein and ME were similar in all the groups. Methane production was higher (P<0.05) in moth fodder compared to khejri leaves while no significant difference was observed between moth fodder and different combinations with khejri leaves. Positive correlation was observed between gas production and either OM or NDF disappearance on incubation of moth fodder for 24h. Concentration of condensed tannins was negatively correlated with DM, OM, NDF digestibility, gas production, microbial protein, partitioning factor, metabolisable energy, VFAs, total N and NH₃-N while positive correlations were found among OM and NDF with gas production, ME, VFAs, total N and NH₃-N. The results showed that inclusion of khejri leaves in moth fodder based diet above 15% level decreased total gas production, NH₃-N, VFAs, OM digestibility, NDF digestibility while microbial increased yield.