NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
246
INDIGENOUS GRASSES OF ASSAM—IV
[Vol. XX, Part IV,
It is evident from the data in Table VIII that it is in no way inferior to any of
the cultivated grasses and can, therefore, be most profitably utilised almost at any
stage of growth.
TABLE IX
The nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances under late cut dhus
Animal number
Intake
(gm.)
Excretion
Faeces
(gm.)
Urine
(gm.)
Total
(gm.)
Balance
(gm.)
Nitrogen
5
6
7
8
59.3
51.9
70.3
74.9
27.2
24.5
34.7
36.7
19.3
16.0
20.0
21.2
46.5
40.5
54.7
57.9
+12.8
+ 11.4
+15.6
+17.0
Calcium
5
6
7
8
10.49
8.82
11.96
13.50
10.12
7.14
10.76
11.95
2.0
2.1
1.9
1.8
12.12
9.24
12.66
13.75
—1.63
—0.42
—0.70
—0.25
Phosphorus
5
6
7
8
5.10
4.32
5.86
6.40
5.64
4.76
6.25
6.75
0.11
0.20
0.15
0.05
5.75
4.96
6.40
6.80
—0.65
—0.64
—0.54
—0.40
It may be seen from the data shown in Tables IV and IX that under both set
of feeding, a positive nitrogen balance is fully assured. It is, however, interesting
to note that a positive retention of both calcium and phosphorus is observed when
the grass is fed at the early stage, while late cut sample shows a slight but definite
negative balance in these mineral elements. It may be seen that in the late cut
sample, the negative balance appears to be wholly due to the high urinary calcium
amounting to about 20 per cent of the total intake, while with the early cut one,
urinary calcium represented only about 10 per cent of the total intake. It may be
mentioned in this connection that with the early cut sample, the reaction of the urine
was slightly alkaline to litmus, while late cut tops showed almost a neutral reaction
or faintly acidic in some cases to the same indicator. However, this is a subject
which will be discussed now and more fully in a separate communication.
(c) Dhus tops as a roughage for dairy calves. It has been shown previously that
the mature animals can be most profitably fed with the grass almost at any stage
of growth. The most effective point seems to be a high urinary calcium, particularly
with the late cut tops, which induces almost a neutral or slightly acidic urine. Such
a condition may have a favourable effect on the absorption and utilisation of
calcium in young ones [Talapatra, loc. cit.]. In order, therefore, to study the general
December, 1950]
S.
K.
TALAPATRA
247
effect of feeding a fodder of this nature, Sindhi calves of about one and a half year
old were taken and fed with the late cut tops ad lib along with a concentrate mixture
consisting of about 450 gm. of oil-cake and the same quantity of bran for a period
of two months ; at the end of this period, metabolism experiments were conducted
to note the efficiency of utilisation of the various nutrients of the grass. The record
of body weight and other relevant data are shown in the following tables :
TABLE X
Body-weight of the experimental animals
Animal number
1
2
3
4
Age at start
year,
1
1
1
1
months
10
7
7
5
Weight
before the
experiment
(lb.)
284
288
280
276
Weight
after the
experiment
(lb.)
334
332
318
325
Net
gain in
60 days
(lb.)
50
44
38
49
Though body-weight is no criteria so far as the calcification of bone is concerned
unless it is supplemented by histological examination and calcium balance studies,
yet it is a sort of check on the sum total effect of the feed during growth. It may
be seen from the data in Table X that in two months time, the animals gained on
an average about 45 lb., that is, slightly less than a pound per day. The experi-
mental period is short but our object is not to study the growth rate of the animals
but the efficiency of utilisation of the nutrients of the grass as determined by measur-
ing the digestibility coefficients and mineral balance studies during the active period
of growth. One animal, however, failed to grow at the desired rate.
TABLE XI
Chemical composition of the feeds fed to calves (on dry basis)
Nutrients
Crude protein
Ether extract
Ash
Crude fibre
N-free extract
Total carbohydrates
Calcium
Phosphorus
Nitrogen
Dhus
grass
(tops)
6.88
2.10
8.70
36.30
46.02
82.32
0.185
0.116
1.10
Dhus stem
(residue
left)
3.45
1.11
6.70
44.00
44.74
88.74
0.09
0.095
0.552
Oilcake
35.3
10.41
14.10
10.24
29.95
40.19
0.721
0.923
5.65
Ricebran
17.65
6.94
17.60
13.20
44.61
57.81
0.17
1.60
2.82
248 INDIGENOUS GRASSES OF ASSAM—IV [Vol. XX, Part IV,
The analysis shown in Table XI indicates that the grass sample is almost
identical in chemical composition with the previous one (vide Table I). The content
of protein is slightly lesser than previously observed. The composition of the con-
centrates is more or less similar to those ordinarily found. The sample of ricebran,
however, was definitely rich in protein. Such samples are sometimes available in
Bengal and Assam. The residue which consists mostly of stem contains lesser amount
of protein than the previous sample.
TABLE XII
Dry matter consumption of dhus grass tops by calves
Animal number
1
2
3
4
Body-weight
(lb)
334
332
318
325
Consumed
(lb.)
6.6
6.6
6.6
6.4
Consumption
per 100 lb.
(lb.)
2.0
2.0
2.1
2.0
Average
(lb.)
..
2.0
..
..
It is obvious that the tops are relished by calves as well. The digestibility
coefficients of the whole ration are shown below :
TABLE XIII
Digestibility coefficients of the whole ration
Animal number
1
2
3
4
Average
Dry
matter
56
54
53
55
55
Crude
protein
59
57
58
57
58
Ether
extract
58
56
56
64
59
Crude
fibre
58
56
53
56
56
N-free
extract
60
60
58
60
60
Total
carbo-
hydrates
60
58
56
60
59
By the method of elimination, the digestibility coefficients of the grass have
December, 1950]
S.
K.
TALAPATRA
249
been worked out from the combined digestibility data and shown below :
TABLE XIV
Digestibility coefficients of dhus tops with calves as experimental subjects
Animal number
1
2
3
4
Average
Crude
protein
42
40
41
38
40
Ether
extract
38
34
33
47
38
Crude
fibre
61
59
56
59
59
N-free
extract
54
55
58
56
56
Total
carbo-
hydrates
56
54
52
55
54
The data in Table XIV indicate that while the chemical composition of the
grass under the three sets of feeding is more or less the same, mature bullocks seem
to utilise the grass more efficiently than the young ones. For the sake of con-
venience, the average digestibility data are shown below :
TABLE XV
Average digestibility coefficients with young and mature animals (dhus grass feeding)
Nutrients
Crude protein
Ether extract
Crude fibre
N-free extract
Total carbohydrates
4 Feet from
the bottom
(early cut)
Mature bullocks
52
33
63
65
64
4 Feet from the top (late cut)
Mature bullocks
52
27
66
60
62
1½ year old calves
40
38
59
56
54
It appears from the above data that the young animals showed lower digest-
ibility coefficients. The protein content of the sample fed to calves was about 8
per cent less than the one fed to bullocks, even then the digestibility should have
been more. When bullocks were taken as experimental subjects, the grass was
fed as a single feed, while with calves, protein rich concentrates were used to provide
growth ration, as the calves declined in weight on an exclusive feeding of the grass.
The digestibility data shown above may, therefore, indicate that either the calves
actually digested less or there might be some associated effect of other feed nutrients,
D
250 INDIGENOUS GRASSES OF ASSAM—IV [Vol. XX, Part IV,
particularly in the case of protein in which the grass contributed only about 50
per cent of the total intake. The chances of such effect on the other constituents
of the feed are possibly less, because compared to the roughage the concentrates
contributed little of these nutrients so as to influence the digestibility of the whole
ration to any marked degree. It is highly probable that the calves actually digested
less. However, considering the availability of the grass in nature, which costs little
money for transport only, the digestibility data seem to satisfy our requirement.
TABLE XVI
The nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances with calves
Animal number
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Total
intake
(gm.)
Excretion
faeces
(gm.)
Urine
(gm.)
Total
(gm.)
Balance
(gm.)
Nitrogen
76.7
76.7
76.6
76.1
31.5
32.8
32.0
29.6
29.6
31.1
28.7
32.4
61.1
63.9
60.7
62.0
+15.6
+12.8
+15.9
+14.1
Calcium
10.63
10.64
10.62
10.54
6.08
6.50
6.21
6.09
0.33
0.60
0.60
0.50
6.41
7.10
6.81
6.59
+4.22
+3.54
+3.81
+3.95
Phosphorus
14.54
14.55
14.53
14.44
11.26
9.15
9.81
8.57
0.44
0.50
0.21
0.34
11.70
9.65
10.02
8.91
+2.84
+4.90
+4.51
+5.53
The balances of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus are highly positive. On an
average intake of as little as 10.6 gm. of calcium, which was considered even in-
sufficient for our bullocks for maintenance in most cases with the indigenous grasses,
the calves retained as much as 4 gm. of the mineral. It is, however, interesting to
December, 1950]
S.
K.
TALAPATRA
251
note that the urinary calcium under this diet was about 0.5 gm. per day, while
under similar conditions with the mature bullocks, the same figure was as high as
2 gm. When large quantities of the mineral are found in the urine, the animal
organisms should have a chance to utilise it for skeletal formation, but as adult life
requires but little for calcification, the major portion of such absorbed calcium
is likely to be thrown off in the urine; such a state of affair may possibly throw
some light on the availability of calcium from any feeding stuffs, the conditions of
which are perhaps indissolubly connected with each fodder. However, this is a
subject which has not been clearly understood, for under acidosis also calcium excre-
tion in urine of adult animals may be quite high. The phosphorus retention, how-
ever, is a bit unexpected. Since concentrates contributed the largest share, it is
highly probable that excess of this nutrient has been stored in the body in organic
combination.
(d) Conservation of the grass dhus. The grass was conserved both in the form
of hay and silage. The hay was not much relished, on an average about 1 lb. per
100 lb. body weight was consumed. For obvious reasons the metabolism experi-
ments were abandoned. The stem, which normally remains soft when green, be-
comes very tough and hard on drying and such stuffs are rarely eaten by cattle
in large quantities. The silage made out of the grass at the prime stage was con-
sumed at the rate 1.5 lb. per 100 lb. of body weight. Metabolism experiments were
conducted to test the nutritive value of the silage and the relevent data are shown
in the following tables:
TABLE XVII
Dry matter and crude protein digestibilities
Animal number
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Intake
(gm.)
Voided
in
faeces
(gm.)
Amount
digested
(gm.)
Per
cent
digestibility
average
Dry matter
3020
3066
3575
3231
1784
1540
2184
1788
1236
1526
1391
1443
40
50
39
45
..
44
..
..
Crude protein
270.0
274.1
323.1
288.9
223.1
195.6
298.1
237.5
46.9
78.5
25.0
51.4
17
29
8
18
..
18
..
..
252 INDIGENOUS GRASSES OF ASSAM—IV
[Vol. XX, Part IV,
Because of the very low protein digestibility, digestibility coefficients of the
other organic nutrients have not been worked out. The silage looked perfectly
alright, in fact the dairy men certified the stuff as good, yet the protein digestibility
was abnormally low, particularly when the protein content of the sample was about
9 per cent on dry matter basis. It may be mentioned that some of the American
workers [Bechtel, et al, 1943] also noticed such poor protein digestibility with over-
heated silage. However from the above data it appears that good silage cannot
possibly be made from this grass. Whether silage depends on the inherent quality
of the grass or temperature or some other factors is not within the scope of the
present enquiry; from the limited data at our disposal, it appears that the grass
should preferably be utilised as a green fodder.
TABLE XVIII
The nitrogen balances under dhus silage feeding
Animal
number
1
2
3
4
Body
weight
(lb.)
523
466
499
522
Intake
(gm.)
43.2
43.8
51.1
46.2
Excretion
Faeces
(gm.)
35.7
31.3
47.7
38.0
Urine
(gm.)
13.2
12.2
11.6
11.6
Total
(gm.)
48.9
43.5
59.3
49.6
Balance
(gm.)
—5.7
+0.3
—8.2
—3.4
The poor protein digestibility has reflected in the negative nitrogen balance.
Animal No. 2, however, showed a positive balance. It may be seen from the above
data that this animal digested a little more of protein than the rest and the digestible
protein provided in this particular case was approximately 0.4 lb. in terms of
1000 lb. body weight.
II. The hill grass kharika (Microstegium ciliatum A. Camus) as a cattle feed
Though less abundant than dhus, this grass also occupies quite a considerable
area in the hills. Unlike the tall growing dhus, it grows straight up to a height of
about 3 to 4 feet only. It is a perennial grass normally found to thrive best under
the shade of a tree in a moist but not water logged soil. During early growth, the
stem is neither succulent nor very soft and leaves are few. At the flowering stage
in November, it is not eaten much by cattle. However, at the prime stage it is
considered as a valuable cattle feed in this part.
The prime stage was, therefore, selected for the trial. Three adult bullocks
were fed exclusively with the grass for a period of about 21 days, at the end of which,
as usual, metabolism trial was given. The chemical composition, dry matter con-
sumption and other relevent data are shown in the following tables. The residue
which consists of stem only has been separately analysed and deducted from the
total feed offered.
December, 1950]
S.
K.
TALAPATRA
253
TABLE XIX
Chemical composition of kharika grass on dry basis
Nutrients
Crude protein
Ether extract
Ash
Crude fibre
N-free extract
Total carbohydrates
Calcium
Phosphorus
Nitrogen
Whole plant
6.044
1.8
9.71
37.5
44.95
82.45
0.321
0.121
0.967
Stem (residue)
4.144
1.0
9.0
46.50
39.36
85.86
0.20
0.07
0.663
TABLE XX
Dry matter consumption of kharika grass
Animal
number
4
5
6
Body
weight
(lb.)
460
462
465
Dry matter
consumed
(lb.)
7.4
7.0
7.4
Consumed per
100 lb. body
weight
(lb.)
1.65
1.55
1.60
Average per
100 lb.
(lb.)
..
1.6
..
The content of dry matter in the grass was found to be about 40 per cent. It
is thus considerably hard and is not very much relished by cattle. The digestibility
coefficients are shown below.
TABLE XXI
Digestibility coefficients of kharika grass
Animal
number
4
5
6
Average
Dry
matter
47
50
47
48
Crude
protein
48
44
44
44
Ether
extract
48
51
54
51
Crude
fibre
49
60
48
52
N-free
extract
54
62
55
57
Total
carbohy-
drates
51
61
51
54
254
INDIGENOUS GRASSES OF ASSAM—IV
[Vol. XX, Part IV,
It appears from the above data that the crude fibre digestibility is not very
satisfactory, though one animal showed increased digestion of the nutrient. The
net energy value of Kellner as determined from the average digestibility coefficients
is 11.8 lb. per 100 lb. of the green grass. It is possible that even at the prime stage,
the grass is considerably lignified and the hard cellular incrustation is responsible
for the low digestibility coefficients. At the early stage, it is comparatively softer
but it was difficult to collect large quantities for a metabolism trial.
TABLE XXII
The nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances under kharika grass feeding
Animal
number
4
5
6
4
5
6
4
5
6
Intake
(gm.)
Excretion
Faeces
(gm.)
Urine
(gm.)
Total
(gm.)
Balance
(gm.)
Nitrogen
40.7
39.1
40.8
22.6
22.1
23.0
15.9
17.0
19.5
38.5
39.1
42.5
+2.2
+0.0
—1.7
Calcium
14.1
13.6
14.1
11.3
10.4
9.8
1.3
0.9
0.8
12.6
11.3
10.6
+1.5
+2.3
+3.5
Phosphorus
5.45
5.28
5.48
5.70
4.66
4.97
0.10
0.15
0.14
5.80
4.81
5.11
—0.35
+0.47
+0.37
It may be seen from the above data that the grass provides a maintenance
ration when fed as a single feed. One interesting point, however, is that in spite of
low roughage consumption, the calcium and phosphorus balances are definitely
positive. One animal, however, showed a slight negative balance in phosphorus.
It may be mentioned that this grass induces a neutral urine reaction when tested
with litmus paper.
Though better assimilation of calcium is sometimes attributed to be due to
improved crude fibre digestion, whereby the mineral in the hard fibrous portion of the
fodder is likely to be released and absorbed, but in this particular instance, in spite
of poor crude fibre digestibility, the balances of calcium are distinctly positive. This
means that unless the intestinal reaction is favourable for absorption, increased
fibre digestibility or intake of calcium is of little consequence. In the present case,
though data are very limited, the better balance of calcium may be partly due to the
December, 1950]
S.
K.
TALAPATRA
255
favourable condition of the intestinal content as reflected in the neutral condition
of the urine.
It is highly probable that these grasses, which normally induce a neutral urine
reaction followed by high urinary calcium, provide conditions favourable for better
assimilation of the mineral, which is perhaps ultimately responsible for the robust
skeletal formation in wild life.
SUMMARY
As a result of a fairly extensive survey it is found that the grass Microstegium
ciliatum A. Camus (kharika) and Erianthus longisetosus Anderss. ex Bth. (dhus),
particularly the latter, constitute the principal roughage of the wild herbivorous
animals during the major part of the year in Assam. They are also used by the
ranchers and wood-cutters as cattle feeds.
Dhus is a tall growing grass, looks like maize or jawar (Sorghum vulgare, pers.)
at the early stage and available in considerable quantities from May right upto the
end of January, while kharika in edible form for a short duration in monsoon.
The early cut dhus at 4 feet height contains about 8 per cent of protein and is
almost identical in chemical composition with its late cut tops. The other variety
(kharika) is of inferior type and hardly contains about 6 per cent of protein at the
prime stage.
Metabolism experiments with young and adult animals indicate that in Decem-
ber before flowering, the tops show almost similar digestibility coefficients with the
early cut dhus grass. The mature bullocks seem to digest the tops from dhus grass
more efficiently than the young ones. The other grass kharika, which is considered
more valuable by the indegenous people, provides a bare maintenance ration.
Though appear to be poor in calcium and phosphorus, both the grasses provide
a maintenance ration in these mineral elements when fed ad lib and show a neutral
urine reaction with litmus indicator. About 15 to 20 per cent of the ingested calcium
is found in the urine. Rapidly growing calves are found to store about 40 per cent
of the ingested calcium in the case of dhus grass.
All these experiments tend to show that by inducing either a neutral or slightly
acidic urine, these grasses create conditions favourable for better absorption of
calcium from the gut.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The first acknowledgment is due to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
for providing the grant. The author is indebted to the Curator of the Royal
Botanical Garden, Sibpur for indentification of the grass samples and Mr. L. K.
Handique, Director of Agriculture, Assam for his interest in the work.
REFERENCES
Bechtel, H. E., Atkeson, F.W. and Hughes, J.S. (1943). Anim. Sci. 2, 295
Talapatra, S.K., and Dev Goswami, M.N. (1949). Indian J. vet. Sci. 19, 19
——(1950).
In the press
——(1950).
In the press
THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF THE INDIGENOUS
GRASSES OF ASSAM
V. THE QUALITY OF THE INDIGENOUS HAYS AS AFFECTED BY
VARIOUS CLIMATIC CONDITIONS IN HEAVY RAINFALL AREAS.
BY S. K. TALAPATRA, U. P. College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry,
Mathura
(Received for publication on 19 January 1950)
THOUGH hay making appears to be a simple process and a sort of routine work in
some of the drier regions of the country, it is by no means an easy affair in the
hot and humid climate of Assam where the average rain-fall is over 70 in. and relative
humidity above 70. However, in contrast with some of the States, where natu-
ral or pasture grasses do not seem to grow well without irrigation which costs
money, conditions appear to be most favourable for the growth of the uncultivated
grasses and they grow profusely in many parts, particularly in the low-lying areas
of the province.
Immediately after the few showers of rain in April/May, indigenous grasses
of various descriptions begin to grow. During the full swing of monsoon in June,
July and August, they grow considerably and a large supply is available for hay
making. Towards the end of September, when the weather is partly favourable,
some of the indispensable nutrients are lowered due to progressive maturity [Tala-
patra et al. 1949], while by October/November, as the weather conditions appear
to be favourable for hay making, some of these grasses are to be seen in flowers.
During the months of December and January, most of the areas dry up and grass
becomes scarce and practically little is available for conservation.
In the present paper, an attempt has been made to evaluate indigenous grasses
when turned into bay under a variety of conditions.
The well-known tripod system of hay making as recommended by [Wright
1937] has been adopted, which may be described as follows:
Three poles are fixed in an inclined position so that they meet the surface
of the earth forming an equilateral triangle. The free ends of the poles are tied
together so as to form a cone. In between the poles, a sort of vent is constructed
on the ground which allows air to pass right through the centre up to the other
extremity of the tripod when the stack is complete. Three such vents are required
to fill up the empty space of the tripod. The poles of the tripod are then tied up at
convenient points by means of strings, which give the appearance of a triangle
round the poles. In the actual process, the vent is constructed with galvanised
corrugated iron sheets over a wooden frame which is adjustable. The shape of the
257