Nutritive Value of Murat (Panicum Turgidum) Grass

Abstract

A conventional metabolic trial with six Bikaneri rams was conducted for the evaluation of the nutritional value of Murat (Panicum turgidum) grass. The average daily uptake of the grass was 3.27± 0012(S.D.) kg (on dry matter basis) per 100 kg body weight. The percentage digestibility coefficients of the nutrients were found as follows, dry matter 59.15± 4 09; crude protein 50.84± 3.08; ether extract 3.88± 3 70; crude fibre 68.12±2.04 and nitrogen free extract 56.66±5.37. A positive nitrogen balance (0.44±0.86 gm/day) and negative calcium and phosphorus balances (-0.92 ± 0.43 gm/day and -0.14±0.004 gm/day) respectively were observed. The following values of practical nutritional interest were also calculated : DC 2.6%, TDN 52.63%, S.E. 32.24, and N R 1: 19 24.