Effect of Azolla microphylla Incorporated Rations on Feed Intake and Nutrient Utilization of Punganur Bulls
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of incorporation of fresh Azolla microphylla as replacement (0, 10, 20 and 30%) of crude protein content of concentrate mixture on feed intake, nutrient utilization and cost economics of Punganur bulls. In a 4 x 4 Latin square design, four mature Punganur bulls were fed with four different treatments, i.e., T1 ration (control) comprised of super napier (Cenchrus purpureus) ad libitum and concentrate mixture with 18% crude protein provided @ 0.5% of the body weight, while other groups T2, T3 and T4 were fed with ad libitum super napier along with the fresh Azolla microphylla to replace 10, 20 and 30% crude protein in concentrate mixture, respectively. A significant (p<0.01) improvement was observed in the digestibility (%) of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose and nitrogen free extract (p<0.05) and was in the order of T4 >T3 > T2 > T1, while digestibility (%) of neutral detergent fibre and cellulose did not differ among the treatments. The DCP intake (kg/d) was highest (p<0.01) in T4 followed by T3, T2 and was lowest in T1. The DM and TDN intake (kg/d) during the experimental period did not differ significantly. It can be concluded that Azolla microphylla can replace up to 30% of the total protein in the concentrate mixture of mature Punganur bulls economically without any adverse effects.
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7216242510