Gram screenings as potential feed ingredient in the ration of Pulikulam cattle

Black gram, green gram and red gram screenings were evaluated for their proximate composition, fibre fractions and mineral content. The in vitro gas production and IVADMD of the screenings were determined using Pulikulam cattle rumen liquor. Black gram (17.5 ± 1.09%) and red gram (18.6 ± 1.91%) screenings had significantly (P< 0.05) higher crude protein. Significantly (P<0.05) higher NDF (56.2 ± 1.20%), ADF (39.6 ± 0.89%), cellulose (25.6 ± 0.29%) and lignin (13.0 ± 0.92%) were present in black gram screenings. Significantly (P<0.01) higher Ca (0.59 ± 0.00 %), Na (0.02 ± 0.00 %), K (0.93 ± 0.00 %), Zn (41.3 ± 0.17 ppm) and Se (0.14 ± 0.00 ppm) was present in red gram screenings. At both 24 and 48 hours of incubation green gram screenings documented significantly (P<0.01) higher total gas production than black gram screenings and red gram screenings. Both red gram and black gram screenings at both 24 and 48 hours of incubation had significantly (P<0.01) lower methane production compared to green gram screenings. Black gram and red gram screenings are locally available in the Pulikulam cattle breeding tract and hence can serve as supplemental feed ingredients in Pulikulam cattle ration.