Effect of Phosphorous and Phosphorous Plus Nitrogen Application on Nutritive Value and In situ Digestion Kinetics of Oat (Evena sativa) Grass in Nili Ravi Buffalo Bulls

Abstract

Current study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different levels of phosphorous (P) and phosphorous plus nitrogen (NP) fertilizer on nutritive value and in situ digestion kinetics of oat fodder in Nili Ravi buffalo bulls. Four cannulated buffalo bulls were used for in situ screening of oat fodder harvested at 100 days of age sown using different levels of phosphorous and phosphorous plus nitrogen fertilizers. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) content were higher (p<0.05) in oat fodder supplemented with P and NP fertilizer as compared to control. The supplementation of P fertilizer resulted in decreased NDF and hemicellulose and did not show any effect on ADF content of oat fodder. At 48 h of incubation, in situ digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose was greater (p<0.05) with medium levels (N20P20 and N25P25) of P and NP fertilizer as compared to control. The extent of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose digestion and rate of degradation was increased in response to P and NP fertilization. However, the lag time of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose of oat fodder was the inverse because it decreased in repose to medium level of P and NP fertilization as compared to control.