Effect of different levels of berseem supplementation in donor animal diet on in vitro dry matter digestibility and gas production of wheat straw

Abstract

Wheat straw was incubated with rumen fluid collected from cattle led on either wheat straw alone (OB), or wheat straw supplemented 15 (15B), 30(30B), or 45% (45B) of berseem on DM basis. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and gas production (UP) were studied. IVDMD was 38.06, 42.07, 44.56 and 44.59%; IVOMD was 40.25, 44.08, 45.83 and 47.75% and GP (ml/0.5g substrate) was 39.1, 40.6, 46.2 and 42.8 in groups OB, 15B, 30B and 45B respectively. IVDMD, IVOMD and GP increased significantly (P<0.01) with increased level of berseem supplementation in donor animal's diet up to 30% beyond which no further improvement was observed. It is included that berseem supplementation increase microbial activity and 30% level of berseem is sufficient to provide all the essential nutrients required for optimum fibrolyctic activity.