Effect of partial replacement of groundnut cake with berseem (Trifolium Alexandrinum) on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, pool size and passage rate in cattle fed wheat straw based diet

Effect of replacement of groundnut cake (GNC) with berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) in straw based diet was studied in a 3x3 Latin square design experiment with 3 ruminally fistulated crossbred steers of about 2 years age. Wheat straw was offered ad lib to all the calves. In Group I, GNC (300 g/kg) was supplemented to fulfill the N requirement. Amount of GNC was reduced to 150 and 100 g/kg in groups n and III, respectively while, 300 and 450 g/kg of berseem was added to make the diets iso-nitrogenous. Total dry matter intake (DMI) was higher (P<.01) in group II, followed by groups III and I. The pH of rumen fluid was not significantly different among the groups. Ammonia-N concentration in rumen fluid decreased (P<.01) with increased level of berseem. Total volatile fatty acid concentration in rumen fluid was higher (P<.05) in group II, followed by groups in and I. Addition of berseem resulted in increase (P<.05) in total rumen content and pool sizes of DM and neutral detergent fibre without affecting the pool size of indigestible components. Increasing level of berseem resulted in significant (P<.01) increase in mean retention time and decrease in rate of passage. Digestibility of DM and fibre components was significantly (P<.05) higher in group II, followed by groups III and I. It was concluded that 50% of the GNC can be replaced with incorporation of 30% berseem in the diets of cattle fed wheat straw based diet.