NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
40
INVESTIGATIONS ON FAMINE RATIONS
[ Vol. XIX, Part I,
TABLE III—contd.
Live weight record
Date
January 15, 1947
.
.
.
.
.
January 22, 1947
.
.
.
.
January 29, 1947
.
.
.
.
February 5, 1947
.
.
.
.
February 12, 1947
.
.
.
.
February 19, 1947
February 26, 1947
March 5, 1947
.
.
.
.
March 12, 1947
.
.
.
.
March 17, 1947
.
.
.
.
Gain in weight
.
.
.
.
.
Weight in lb.
Animal No. 1
220
218
220
224
224
224
222
228
228
228
28
Animal No. 2
228
230
226
232
228
230
232
234
238
238
34
Animal No. 3
232
230
234
234
238
236
232
238
236
236
34
The animals also put on a fine bloom and presented a healthy appearance.
The results showing the digestibility coefficient and nitrogen, calcium and phos-
phorus balance of the whole ration are given in Tables IV and V respectively.
TABLE IV
Digestibility coefficient of the whole ration
Animal No.
1 . .
2 .
3 .
Average . .
Dry
matter
40.4
47.4
47.8
48.2
Organic
matter
56.0
55.6
55.9
55.8
Crude
protein
46.9
44.3
45.4
45.5
Ether
extract
58.6
54.5
57.3
56.8
Fibre
59.4
59.7
59.8
59.6
Nitrogen
free
extract
53.9
53.3
53.6
53.6
Total
carbohy-
drates
56.5
56.4
56.5
56.5
March, 1949 ]
N.
D.
KEHAR
AND
K.
SAHAI
41
TABLE V
Nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances (in gm.)
—
Nitrogen intake:
Jaman seed . . . . . . . .
Rape cake . . . . . . . .
Wheat straw . . . . . . . .
TOTAL .
Nitrogen excretion:
Faeces . . . . . . . .
Urine . . . . . . . .
TOTAL .
Nitrogen balance . . . . . . . .
Biological value of the protein . . .
Calcium intake:
Jaman seed . . . . . . . .
Rape cake . . . . . . . .
Wheat straw . . . . . . . .
TOTAL .
Calcium excretion:
Faeces . . . . . . . .
Urine . . . . . . . .
TOTAL .
Calcium balance . . . . . . . .
Phosphorus intake . . . . . . . .
Jaman seed . . . . . . . .
Rape cake . . . . . . . .
Wheat straw . . . . . . . .
TOTAL .
Phosphorus excretion:
Faeces . . . . . . . .
Urine . . . . . . . .
TOTAL .
Phosphorus balance: . . . . . . . .
Animal
No. 1
4.13
6.22
644
16.79
8.93
4.20
13.13
+3.66
85.94
1.23
0.75
5.18
7.16
5.71
0.38
6.09
+ 1.07
0.53
1.23
1.03
1.79
1.73
0.01
1.74
+0.05
Animal
No. 2
4.13
6.22
8.62
18.97
10.57
5.40
15.97
+3.00
83.01
1.23
0.75
6.93
8.91
6.75
0.55
7.30
+1.61
0.53
1.23
1.38
2.14
1.99
0.01
2.00
+0.14
Animal
No. 3
4.13
6.22
7.48
17.83
9.73
4.92
14.65
+3.18
84.07
1.23
0.75
6.02
8.00
6.00
0.55
6.55
+1.45
0.53
1.23
1.20
1.96
1.85
0.01
1.86
+0.10
42
INVESTIGATIONS ON FAMINE RATIONS
[Vol. XIX, Part I,
It will be observed that replacement of oil-cake by jaman seed to the extent of
75 per cent gives a fairly high positive nitrogen balance. The balances for calcium
and phosphorus too are positive. The positive retention of important nutrients
agrees with the gain in weight and healthy appearance of the experimental animals.
The data on the consumption, excretion and digestibility coefficients of the
various constituents in the jaman seeds are detailed in the Table VI. The digesti-
bility was determined by the method of elimination and the necessary data for the
auxiliary feeds, viz., wheat straw and rape cake, was taken from Sen [1938].
TABLE VI
Digestibility coefficient of jaman seed
Organic
matter
gm.
Crude
protein
gm.
Ether
extract
gm.
Crude
fibre
gm.
Nitrogen
free
extract
gm.
Total
carbohydra-
tes
gm.
Bullock No.1
Consumed from:
Jaman seed . . .
Rape cake . . .
Wheat straw . . .
TOTAL .
Voided in faeces: .
Total digested . . .
Digested from:
Jaman seed . . .
Rape cake . . .
Wheat stnaw . .
Digestibility
coefficient
of jaman seed
237
94
1375
1706
751
955
103
68
784
43.5
25.8
38.9
40.3
105
55.8
49.2
16.1
33.1
Nil
62.4
3.6
9.6
15.8
29
12
17
2.6
8.7
5.7
72.2
51
8
678
737
299
438
21
3
414
41.2
157
37
641
835
384
451
88
23
340
56.1
207
46
1319
1572
683
889
125
25
739
60.4
March, 1949]
N.
D.
KEHAR
AND
K.
SAHAI
43
TABLE VI—contd.
Digestibility coefficient of jaman seed
Consumed from:
Jaman seed . . .
Rape cake . . .
Wheat straw . . .
TOTAL . .
Voided in faeces . .
Total digested . . .
Digested from:
Jaman seed . . .
Rape cake . . .
Wheat straw . . .
Digestibility coefficient
of jaman seed
Organic
matter
gm.
Crude
protein
gm.
Ether
extract
gm.
Crude
fibre
gm.
Nitrogen
free
extract
gm.
Total
carbohydra-
tes
gm.
Bullock No. 2
237
94
1835
2166
961
1205
91
68
1046
38.4
25.8
38.9
53.9
118.6
66.1
52.5
19.4
33.1
Nil
75.2
3.6
9.6
21.1
34.3
15.6
18.7
2.4
8.7
7.6
66.7
51
8
906
965
389
576
21
3
552
41.2
157
37
855
1049
490
559
83
23
453
52.9
207
46
1761
2014
879
1135
124
25
986
60.2
Bullock No. 3
Consumed from:
Jaman seed . . .
Rape cake . . .
Wheat straw . . .
TOTAL . .
Voided in faeces . .
Total digested . . .
Digested from:
Jaman seed . . .
Rape cake . . .
Wheat straw . . .
Digestibility
coefficient
of jaman seed
237
94
1599
1930
852
1078
98
68
912
41.4
25.8
38.9
46.8
111.5
60.8
50.6
17.5
33.1
Nil
67.8
3.6
9.6
18.4
31.6
13.5
18.1
2.8
8.7
6.6
77.8
51
8
788
847
340
507
23
3
481
45.1
157
37
745
939
436
503
85
23
395
54.1
207
46
1533
1786
777
1009
125
25
859
60.4
44
INVESTIGATIONS ON FAMINE RATIONS
[Vol. XIX, Part I,
The digestibility coefficients of the important constituents of jaman seed, such
as crude protein, ether extract and total carbohydrates have been found to be 68.5,
72.2 and 60.3 respectively. The digestible nutrients per 100 lb. of dry matter as
compared with those of other common grains is given in Table VII.
TABLE VII
Digestible nutrients of jaman seed as compared with those of other grains and seeds
(in lb. per 100 lb. dry material)
—
Barley . . . . . . . . .
Maize . . . . . . . . .
Oats . . . . . . . . .
Corn* . . . . . . . . .
Rye* . . . . . . . . .
Oats* . . . . . . . . .
Jaman seed . . . . . . . .
Digestible
protein
7.4
8.2
7.8
6.6
7.1
7.0
5.82
Starch
equivalent
84.6
93.3
73.4
..
..
..
45.1
Total
digestible
nutrients
86.0
94.3
78.5
74.2
87.0
72.2
45.53
*American figures
It will be seen that the digestible protein obtained from jaman seed is fairly
comparable to that of other seeds and grains.
These observations give jaman seed a fair place in the list of concentrates and
it can be satisfactorily used to replace oil cakes to the extent of about 75 per cent.
The keeping quality of jaman seed seems to be satisfactory as no deterioration was
obeserved after twelve months storage.
It has not been possible to estimate the quantity of seeds avilable in India.
But it has been found that one tree yields about two to four maunds of seeds annually
and it is believed that there are millions of jaman trees growing in the plains all
over India.
SUMMARY
Investigations were made to find out if jaman seed, hitherto rejected as a waste,
could be utilised as a feed for livestock. The chemical analyses of both the organic
and the inorganic constituents showed that the seed was rich in crude protein and
calcium; the latter being twice the amount present in wheat. Jaman seed was fed
to Kumauni bullocks to the extent of 75 per cent of the total concentrate. The
animals showed no disinclination in taking to it. They gained on an average about
March, 1949 ]
N.
D.
KEHAR
AND
K.
SAHAI
45
32 lb. in body weight and developed a fine bloom during the course of experimental
period of 30 weeks. All the animals showed positive nitrogen, calcium and phos-
phorus balances.
The fairly satisfactory digestibility coefficient of the protein, ether extract and
total carbohydrates and the biological value of protein give the seed a place in
the list of concentrates of proved value.
It has not been possible to assess accurately the quantity of jaman seeds avail-
able annually, but as one tree yields about two to four maunds or seeds, it is believed
that these observations would make available, from a hitherto unutilized source,
millions of maunds of protein-rich food for livestock.
REFERENCES
Kehar, N. D. (1946). Perspective 11, 1
—and
Chanda, R. (1945). Indian J. Vet. Sci. 15, 280
——(1947).
Indian J. Vet. Sci. (in press)
Sen. K. C. (1938). Misc. Bull No. 25, Imp. Coun. Agri. Res.
THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF
ALKALI TREATED BHURRA GRASS (SACCHARUM MUNJA)
BY
A. W. ZUBAIRY AND N. K. AYYAR, Animal Nutrition Section, Indian Veterinary
Research Institute, Izatnagar.
(Received for publication on 19 March 1948)
A LKALI treatment of straws has been the subject of study in the Animal Nutri
tion Section for some time past and it has been observed that alkali treatment
improves the nutritive value of roughages. Its effect is mainly on the digestibility
of fibre. On alkali treatment the liguin binding of the celullose of the roughage is
ruptured, thereby facilitating the action of digestive juices on colullose during meta-
bolic processes. Sen, Ray and Talapatra [1942] have shown that on alkali treat-
ment the total carbohydrate digestibility of wheat and paddy straws increased to a
marked extent.
In the present work alkali treatment of Sacchurum munja, locally, known as
Bhurra grass has been studied. In India, where shortage of fodder for livestock
is acute, improvement of straws which are not generally utilized by cattle has a
great economic significance. Bhurra grass is a typical example of such a straw.
It is a perennial grass with very low palatability. When green it is not very much
relished by cattle and when dry it is impossible to feed it as such. It is available
in large quantities and is generally used for thatching purposes. In a previous expe-
riment conducted in the section [ by Kebar, 1944], it has been shown that animals
could not be induced to eat dry bhurra grass except with the addition of molasses
and its feeding value, under those conditions of feeding, was found to be 3.8 per cent
starch equivalent and 27.78 per cent total digestible nutrients with no digestible
protein.
Analysis of the bhurra grass has shown that it is fairly comparable with wheat
and paddy straws in chemical composition (Table I, next page). The following work
was, therefore, undertaken to see whether dry bhurra grass could be improved in its
palatability and nutritive values by treating it with caustic soda solution. The
results have been found to be quite encouraging.
Treatment of Bhurra grass with caustic soda solution
The bhurra grass was chopped and soaked in ten times its weight of 1.5 per cent
caustic soda solution in a cemented tank of suitable size for 24 hours. It was turned
several times during the period of soaking for a uniform treatment of the lot. There-
after the residual alkaline liquor was drained off to another tank. The treated
straw was washed thrice with water and the washings were run into the mother
liquor. It, was further washed with water to free it of alkali and the washings were
drained out. It was then dried in the sun. Fifty per cent more alkali was
47
L
48 THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF ALKALI [Vol. XIX, Part I,
TABLE I
Chemical composition of Bhurra grass, Wheat and Paddy straw
(Percentage expressed on dry matter basis)
1
Bhurra grass . . . .
Wheat straw . . . .
Paddy straw . . . .
2
Organic
matter
93.39
89.83
81.57
3
Crude
protein
4.05
2.69
2.64
4
Ether
extract
2.08
0.47
1.21
5
Crude
fibre
30.99
39.43
34.79
6
N-free
extract
47.47
47.24
42.95
7
Total
carbo-
hydrates
87.46
86.67
77.72
8
Total
Ash
6.31
10.17
18.43
9
Ash
soluble
in Hcl
2.31
4.88
5.63
10
Calcium
as CaO
0.37
0.20
0.29
11
Phos-
phorus
as P 2 O 3
0.38
0.09
0.12
Magne-
sium
as Mgo
0.28
0.13
0.26
13
Sodium
as Na 2 O
0.22
0.07
0.04
14
Potas-
sium as
K 2 O
1.17
1.13
2.51
15
Chlorine
0.057
0.009
0.170
March,
1949]
A.
W.
ZUBAIRY
AND
N.
K.
AYYAR
49
added to the mother liquor which was made up to the original volume with water
to bring it approximately to the original strength and the reinforced alkaline solution
was used for treating another lot of bhurra grass. Twenty-four lb. of caustic soda
were used in 1600 lb. of water for treating 160 lb. of bhurra grass. Twelve lb. more of
caustic soda were used to reinforce the residual liquor which was made up to the
original volume for treating another 160 lb. of bhurra grass. In all, 36 lb. of caustic
soda were used for treating 320 lb. of bhurra grass and the yield of alkali treated
bhurra grass was 256 lb. There was thus a loss of 20 per cent in the air dry material
due to alkali treatment. The effect of alkali treatment on the dry matter of the
straw is as shown below.
TABLE II
Effect of alkali treatment on the dry matter of the straw
Amount taken
Air-dry
gm.
100
Oven-dry
gm.
92.07
Amount obtained
after treatemnt
Air-dry
gm.
80
Oven-dry
gm.
72.39
Per cent
dry matter
lost.
21.88
The loss in dry matter could be accounted for by the loss sustained by the other
constituents except crude fibre. Nitrogen free extract and the total ash are the
constituents which contributed most to the loss of dry matter.
By the alkali treatment of bhurra grass its various constituents were affected as
shown in Table III. The percentage loss or gain of the different constituents are
also shown therein. It might be noticed that the percentage of crude protein, ether
extract, N-free extract, phosphours, potassium and chlorine was lowered and that
of crude fibre, calcium, magnesium and sodium was increased. Crude fibre was
apparently not very much affected by the alkali solution as is evident from the
percentage loss. The loss in N-free extract has, however, been compensated by
the rise in fibre so that the total carbohydrate content of the treated grass is higher
than that of the untreated grass. The rise in the calcium content, may to a great
extent, be accounted for by the deposition of calcium on the grass from tap water
which on later examination contained significant amounts of calcium. The increase
in sodium content of the treated straw was obviously due to a certain amount of
the alkali having been retained inspite of the repeated washings.
Digestibility and nutritive value of treated bhurra grass
For carrying out a digestibility trial two country bulls and two Kumaon hill
bulls were used. Their live weights were 833 lb., 832 lb., 231 lb. and 236 lb. res-
pectively. All the animals were started on a ration containing treated bhurra grass
fed ad libitum, a weighed quantity of 'sarson' cake and an ounce of common salt
L 2
50 THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF ALKALI [Vol. XIX, Part I,
TABLE
III
Chemical composition of bhurra grass and alkali treated bhurra grass
(Percentage expressed on dry matter basis)
1. Bhurra grass . .
2. Alkali treated
bhurra
grass
3. percentage loss (—) or
gain (+)
Dry
matter
92.07
90.49
—21.88
Organic
matter
93.59
95.37
—20.40
Crude
protein
4.05
2.55
— 50.67
Ether
extract
2.08
0.87
—67.36
Crude
fibre
39.99
51.12
—0.14
N-free
extract
47.47
40.83
—32.80
Total
carbo-
hydrates
87.46
91.95
—17.88
Total
ash
6.41
4.63
—43.60
Ash
soluble
in Hcl
2.51
2.68
—16.74
Calcium
as CaO
0.37
0.72
+ 32.94
Phos-
phorus P 2 O 3
0.38
0.19
—60.00
Magne-
sium as
MgO
0.28
0.40
+11.54
Sodium
as Na2O
0.22
0.93
+ 229.9
Potas-
sium as
K2O
3.17
0.38
—74.63
Chlo-
rine
0.057
0.009
—86.79
March, 1949 ]
A.
W.
ZUBAIBY
AND
N.
K.
AYYAR
51
per head per day. The ration was fed for a period of 20 days at the end of which
faeces and urine bags were fixed on the animals for collecting their faeces and urine.
The same ration was continued for another ten days and during this period 24 hourly
collections of faeces and urine were made. The samples collected during the experi-
mental period were subjected to chemical analysis with a view to determining the
digestibility coefficient and the balance for nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. Except
during the collection period the animals were weighed every three days and found
to maintain their body-weight.
The chemical composition of the feeding stuffs, the food consumption per day,
and the digestibility determinations of the treated bhurra grass are shown in Tables
IV, V and VI.
TABLE IV
Percentage composition of the feeding stuffs (on dry basis)
Crude protein . . . . . . . . . .
Ether extract . . . . . . . . . .
Crnde fibre . . . . . . . . . .
N-free extract . . . . . . . . . .
Total ash . . . . . . . . . .
Calcium (CaO) . . . . . . . . . .
Phosphorus (P 2 O 5 ) . . . . . . . . . .
Treated
bhurra
grass
2.55
0.87
51.12
40.83
4.63
0.72
0.19
Sarson
cake
33.53
12.75
10.60
31.88
11.26
1.19
2.98
TABLE V
Food consumption per day (on dry basis)
Animals
Country Bull No. 1 . . . . . . . . . .
Country Bull No. 5 . . . . . . . . . .
Hill Bull No. 61 . . . . . . . . . .
Hill Bull No. 334 . . . . . . . . . .
Alkali
treated
bhurra
grass
gm.
4588
4631
1656
1791
Sarson
cake
gm.
650
650
202
202
Total
consumption
gm.
5238
5281
1858
1993
52 THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF ALKALI [Vol. XIX, Part I,
TABLE VI
Digestibility coefficients of alkali-treated bhurra grass
Consumed from
Alkali treated bhurra grass .
Sarson cake . . .
TOTAL .
Voided in faeces . . .
Total digested . . .
Digested from sarson cake .
Digested from treated bhurra
grass
Digestibility coefficients of
treated bhurra grass
Country Bull No. 1
Organic
matter
1
gm.
4,358.17
575.53
4,933.70
1,469.39
3,464.31
443.81
3,020.50
69.31
Crude
protein
2
gm.
124.49
211.67
336.16
188.97
147.19
179.92
Nil
Nil
Ether
extract
3
gm.
42.78
82.24
125.02
50.28
74.74
76.49
Nil.
Nil
Crude
fibre
4
gm.
2,303.60
69.98
2,373.58
335.25
2,038.33
30.79
2,007.54
87.15
N-free
extract
5
gm.
1,887.30
211.64
2,098.94
894.89
1,204.05
156.61
1,047.44
55.50
Total
carbohydra-
tes
6
gm.
4,190.90
281.62
4,472.52
1,230.14
3,242.38
187.40
3,054.98
72.90
Country Bull No. 5
Consumed from alkali treated
bhurra grass
Sarson cake . . .
TOTAL .
Voided in faeces . . .
Total digested . . .
Digested from surson cake
Digested from treated bhurra
grass
Digestibility coefficients of
treated bhurra grass
4,398.45
575.53
4,973.98
1,467.16
3,506.82
4,43.81
3,063.01
69.64
125.64
211.67
337.31
179.37
157.94
179.92
Nil
Nil
43.18
82.24
125.42
48.54
76.88
76.49
0.39
0.90
2,324.85
69.98
2,394.83
377.66
2,017.17
30.79
1.986.38
85.44
1,904.78
211.64
2,116.42
861.59
1,254.83
156.61
1.098.22
57.66
4,229.63
281.62
4,511.25
1,239.25
3,272.00
187.40
3.084.60
72.93
March, 1949]
A.W.
ZUBAIRY
AND
N.
K.
AYYAR
53
TABLE VI—contd.
Digestibility coefficients of alkali-treated bhurra grass.
Consumed from
Consumed from alkali treated
bhurra grass
Sarson cake . . .
TOTAL .
Voided in faeces . . .
Total digested . . .
Digested from sarson cake .
Digested from treated bhurra
grass
Digestibility coefficient
of
treated bhurra grass
Hill Bull No. 61
Organic
matter
1
gm.
1.585.82
179.34
1,765.16
547.02
1,218.14
138.90
1,079.18
08.05
Crude
protein
2
gm.
39.01
09.52
109.13
03.22
45.91
59.09
Nil
Nil
Ether
extract
3
gm.
13.46
25.87
39.33
10.61
22.72
24.00
Nil
Nil
Crude
fibre
4
gm.
801.53
21.05
882.58
103.53
719.05
9.26
709.79
82.39
N.free
extract
5
gm.
671.22
62.90
734.12
303.66
430.40
46.55
383.91
57.20
Total
carbohydra
tos
6
gm.
1,532.75
83.95
1,616.70
407.19
1,149.51
55.81
1,093.70
71.36
Hill Bull No. 334
Consumed from alkali treated
bhurra grass
sarson cake . . .
TOTAL . .
Voided in faeces . . .
Total digested . . .
Digested from sarscm cake .
Digested from alkali treated
bhurra grass
Digestibility coefficients of
treated bhurra grass
1,714.89
179.34
1,894.23
005.20
1,289.03
138.96
1,150.07
07.07
42.84
09.52
112.30
72.80
39.56
59.09
Nil
Nil
14.56
25.87
40.43
19.34
21.09
24.00
Nil
Nil
931.07
21.05
952.7
182.47
770.25
9.20
700.99
81.68
725.82
02.90
788.72
330.59
458.13
40.55
411.58
56.71
1,657.19
S3.95
l,741.44
513.00
1,228.38
55.81
1,172.57
70.74
54 THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF ALKALI [Vol. XIX, Part I,
The average digestibility coefficients of the organic nurtients of the treated
bhurra grass are shown in Table VII.
TABLE VII
Digestibility coefficients of treated bhurra grass
1
Animals
C.B No. 1 . . . .
C.B. No. 5 . . . .
H.B. No. 61 . . . .
H.B. No. 334 . . . .
Average .
.
.
.
2
Organic
matter
69.31
69.64
08.05
67.07
68.52
3
Crude
protein
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
..
4
Ether
extract
Nil
0.90
Nil.
Nil
..
5
Crude
fibre
87.15
85.44
82.39
81.68
84.17
6
N-free
extract
55.50
57.00
57.20
50.71
66.77
7
Total
carbohydra-
tes
72.90
72.93
71.36
70.74
71.98
The digestibility coefficients were determined by a process of elimination for
which the digestibility coefficients for sarson cake were taken from Sen [1938]. The
animals consumed a fair amount of the treated grass, the average consumption per
100 lb. live weight being approximately 14 lb. It may be observed, that the crude
protein and the ether extract of the treated bhurra grass were not digested by the
animals, though in the case of animal No. 5 a slight digestibility of ether extract
may be noticed. As regards the digestibility coefficients of crude fibre and total
carbohydrates they are fairly high, the figures being 84.17 and 71.98 respectively.
When the digestibilities of these ingredients are compared between the country
bullocks and hill bulls, it appears that the country bullocks digest the crude fibre
and the total carbohydrates slightly better than the hill bulls.
The nutritive value of alkali treated bhurra grass has been determined by the
usual Kellner's method and the results are set out in Table VIII; for the purposes
of comparison the nutritive values of alkali treated wheat straw and paddy straw
[Sen, Ray and Talpatra 1942] have also been given.
March, 1949]
A.
W.
ZUBAIRY
AND
N.
K.
AYYAR
55
TABLE VIII
Nutritive values of alkali treated bhurra grass
Straws
1. Alkali treated bhurra grass
.
.
.
.
2. Alkali treated wheat straw . . . .
3. Alkali treated paddy straw
.
.
.
.
4. Untreated bhurra . . . . . . .
(Per 100 lb. dry matter)
D.P.
lb.
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
S.E.
lb.
32.4
34.1
35.9
3.8
T.D.N.
lb.
58.8
59.0
55.5
27.8
It may be seen from the Table that the nutritive values of the three alkali treated
straws are nearly the same, and that of the untreated bhurra grass very low. Even
after making allowance for the loss of dry matter and other nutrients by alkali treat-
ment the remainder of the grass has still more S. E. and T. D. N. Calculated on the
basis of the original untreated straw these values for the remainder come to 23.5
lb. S. E. and 42.6 lb. T. D. N.; compared to the untreated grass these values are
much higher. The importance of alkali treatment, thus gains more significance. It
improves the grass as regards its palatability and nutritive value to a remarkable
extent.
The nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances under treated bhurra grass
feeding have also been studied and the balances (average per day) of intake and out-
put of these elements have been worked out and the results are presented in Table
IX.
M
THE CHEMICAL COMFOSITION AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF ALKALI [Vol. XIX, Part I.
TABLE IX
Nitrogen calcium and phosphorus balances
1
Animal
Country Bull No. 1 .
Country Bull No. 5
Hill Bull No. 61 .
Hill Bull No. 334
Country Bull No. 1
.
Country Bull No. 5
Hill Bull No. 61 .
.
. .
Hill Bull No. 334
Country Bull No. 1
Country Bull No. 5
Hill Bull No. 61 .
Hill Bull No. 334
2
Intake
gm.
3
4
Excretion
Faeces
gm.
Urine
gm.
5
Total
excretion
gm.
6
Balance
gm.
7
Balance
per 500 lb.
body
weight
gm.
Nitrogen
53.79
53.97
17.46
17.97
30.23
28.70
10.11
11.65
13.48
13.65
3.67
4.12
43.71
42.35
13.78
15.67
+10.08
+11.62
+3.68
+2.30
+6.05
+6.99
+7.97
+4.88
Calcium (CaO)
40.51
40.81
14.37
15.35
36.23
34.32
12.05
12.55
0.71
1.24
0.64
0.57
36.94
35.56
12.69
13.12
+3.57
+5.25
+1.68
+2.23
+2.14
+3.16
+3.64
+4.73
Phosphorus (P 2 O 3 )
27.43
27.50
9.47
9.75
25.61
24.76
6.82
7.79
0.27
0.21
0.09
010
25.88
24.97
6.91
7.89
+1.55
+2.53
+2.56
+1.86
+0.93
+1.52
+5.54
3.94
It may be seen from the Table that the balances of nitrogen, calcium and phos
phorus are positive in all the cases, the hill bulls showing a greater positive balance
in regard to calcium and phosphorus than the country bullocks probably due to a
larger ingestion of these nutrients. With regard to nitrogen balance, both these sets
of animals do not show any difference. The balances of the three elements under
treated bhurra grass feeding show that the animals are capable of retaining them
in their system.