EFFECT OF FEEDING ALKALI-TREATED MAHUA (BASSIA-LATIFOLIA) SEED-CAKE ON IMPORTANT RUMEN PARAMETERS (IN-VIVO) AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION IN GROWING CROSSBRED BULLS

Rased on in vivo rumen fermentation study with a fistulated buffalo bu ll the alkali (5% NaOH W/W)-treated mahua (Bassia lotifolia) seed-cake (Alk-MSC) was incorporated in the ration of growing crossbred bulls @ 1.26 kg kg DM/head a day to substitute 40% CP (T-3) of concentrate mi xture offered to control group (T-1); anti 1 group was maintained as n egative control (T-2). Wheat straw was offered ad lib. to all the (3 x 3) animals with 1.0 kg molasses each and adequate quantity of mineral mixture, common salt and vitamin A supplement for 120 days growth per formance and nutrient utilization study. The alk-MSC supplementation t hough enhanced the rumen pH significantly no adverse effect. was notic ed on the appetite and nutrient utilization of total ration. The patte rn of rumen NH3-N concentration did not show high peak (T-3) like that of T-1 and T-2 rations and the absorbed - N utilization from alk - MS C was very efficient (over 80%) as compared to that of concentrate mix ture (30%). The growth rare under T-3 (556 +/- 80 g/day) was comparati vely better than control T-1 (528 +/- 36 g/day) during 120 days of stu dy. Alkali treatment of MSC with 5% NaOH (W/W) in adequate water was e ffective both for detoxifying its mowrin and tannins as well as to imp rove the nutrient utilization particularly CP, getting released from t annin complexes or MSC by caustic action of alkali.