IN-SITU RUMINAL DIGESTION KINETICS OF DIFFERENT FORAGES IN BUFFALO CALVES

The study was conducted to determine the dry matter (DM) and neutral d etergent fibre (NDF) degradabilities and rate and extent of legumes, v iz. berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum), lucerne (Medicago sativa), cowpe as (Vigna sinensis) and non-legumes such as maize (Zea mays), millet ( Panicum miliaceum), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) in ruminally fistulated male buffalo carves. Nylon bags measuring 13 cm x 21 cm, with an avera ge pore size of 50 mu m, were used (10 g). Sample was weighed into eac h bag and exposed to the ruminal fermentation for 0, 1, 2, 6, 10, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 96 hr. Dry matter and NDF degradability was measured at 48 hr. Extent of DM and NDF disappearance was determined at each time point. Rates of disappearance of DM and NDF were determined at each t ime point. Rates of disappearance of DM and NDF were determined by reg ressing the natural logarithm of the percentage of original DM and NDF remaining in the bags between 1 and 96 hr. Dry matter digestibility ( DMD) of the legume forages when incubated in the rumen of male buffalo calves were greater (P<0.05) than grasses. Extent of digestion follow ed similar pattern as DMD. Rate of DMD was higher in legumes than gras ses. The NDF degradability (NDFD) of legumes and grasses did not diffe r. The legumes had higher (P<0.05) rates and lower extents of NDF dige stion than grasses.