Nutritive Value and In Situ Digestion Kinetics of Some Leguminous and Non-leguminous Fodder Baled Silages in Buffalo Bulls

The study was carried out for nutritional and biological evaluation of baled silage of various leguminous and non-leguminous fodders in cannulated Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls. Lucerne, Berseem and Oat fodders were harvested manually and chopped with a locally manufactured chopper separately. Dry matter (DM) of each fodder was made 30% by mixing appropriate quantity of wheat straw. Cane molasses was added in each fodder at 2% of fodder DM as a source of soluble carbohydrates. Bales were prepared in a hydraulic straw baler and were then wrapped with polyethylene sheet, tied and sealed with a manual sealer machine to attain anaerobic conditions. After 30 days of fermentation period, the bales were opened and pH & lactic acid contents were measured immediately. The silages were also analyzed for proximate compositions and fiber fractions through standard procedures. The pH, lactic acid concentration, DM, crude protein (CP) and fiber fractions of all the fodders were within desirable rage of good quality silage. Ruminal DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), degradability, lag time, rate and the extent of digestion of Berseem, Lucerne and their silage were similar. The NDF digestibility and extent of DM and NDF digestion of oat was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of its silage. The results of the present study indicated that leguminous and non-leguminous fodders ensiled in bales with 2% molasses have better nutritive value for buffaloes and the same may be propagated for sustainable availability of fodder round the year.