DIGESTION OF GREEN VEGETABLE FOOD BY RODE NTS WITH DIFFERENT NUTRITIONAL TYPES AND IN RELATION TO THE PHENOPHASES OF PLANTS

Rodents (Microtus socialis, Meriones tamariscinus, Mesocricetus raddei ) were fed with the vegetative parts of plants at different phenologic al phases. The concentration of crude proteins in the plants decreased from 31 to 11%, that of crude fiber increased from 14 to 34% from the initial to the final plant phenophases. Daily intake of Food in Micro tus and Mesocricetus varied during the vegetation period insignificant ly, while in Meriones it became halveed. The digestibility of dry matt er in Microtus and Mesocricetus decreased considerably (from 74 to 48% and from 74 to 66%, resp.), in Meriones - regularly increased (from 5 6 to 65%). The digestibility of fiber was high (maximum in all three s pecies is 59 to 79%) and varied in Microtus and Mesocricetus insignifi cantly, increased in Meriones (from 6 to 64%). Body weight of Microtus socialis was constant or increased when they consumed more than 90 kJ of digestible energy per 24 h. Only young plants provided this energy intake. Meriones tamariscinus has to ingest more than 144 kJ digestib le energy to meet its energy requirements. The consumption of only gre en parts of plants does not provide this intake od energy. Mesocricetu s raddei requires 179 kJ that is provided by consumption of green plan ts at any phenophase. Mesocricetus raddei has the best relative capaci ty to digest green plants, while that capacity in Microtus socialis is less, Meriones tamariscinus is the least adapted to green vegetable f ood.