Effect of Replacement of Green Lucerne With Subabul (Leucaena Leucocephala) Leaf Meal in the Diet on Nutrient Utilisation and Growth in Buffalo Calves

Twenty parts of the ration of growing buffalo calves was supplied either by lucerne fodder or subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) hay keeping other parts of the ration constant. The voluntary DM intake was 2.77 and 2.80 kg 100”1 kg body weight in lucerne and subabul fed groups respectively. DCP and TDN contents were 9.6 and 64.3 per cent in lucerne group and 10.0 and 67.4% in subabul group. The average live weight gain of calves were 667 and 638 g day”1 in lucerne and subabul group respectively. Digestibility coefficients of all nutrients were practically similar in both groups. N, Ca and P retentions were positive and similar in two groups. The T4 levels were normal in blood plasma and mimosine retention was 0.075g kg-1 body weight day-1 in subabul fed animals.