226
Investigations on Famine Rations
[Vol. XVIII, Part IV
It will be observed from the Tables given above that the replacement of wheat bhusa by Kantiara
to the extent of 66 per cent gives a wide positive nitrogen and calcium balance. The phosphorus
balance too is fairly positive. The digestible nutrients per 100 lb. of dry Kantiara as compared with
other straws is given in Table VII.
TABLE VII
Digestible nutrients of Kantiara as compared with other straws
—
Kantiara
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Wheat bhusa . . . . . . .
Rice straw
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Jowar straw (Chittral) . . . . . . .
Jowar straw (Periamanjal)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ragi straw
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Digestable
protein
6.3
0.0
0.0
1.5
0.11
. .
Starch
equivalent
20.78
21.9
27.1
30.2
29.5
38.4
Table
digestible
nutrients
34.1
48.9
49.5
49.2
53.4
56.9
From the above figures it appears that the digestible protein in Kantiara is much greater than
in any of the straws. As regards its starch equivalent, it compares favourably with wheat bhusa
but is inferior to rice, jowar and ragi straws. The amount of extra foodstuff, in terms of starch
equivalent, digestible protein, and total digestible nutrients available from this source per acre of
land is given in the Table VIII below.
TABLE VIII
Yield of kantiara
Dry matter
1200
lb
.
.
.
.
.
.
Starch equivalent
Lb.
249.36
Digestible protein
Lb.
75.6
Total digestible
nutrients
Lb.
409.2
It has been observed that one man working for eight hours a day, takes three days to collect
the entire Kantiara yield from one acre ; thus the total cost of the foodstuff available from Kantiara
per acre of land works out to about Rs. 3.
SUMMARY
Investigations have been made to find if Kantiara could be utilized as a fodder for livestock in
times of scarcity. It was found that the plant is fairly rich in nutritive components like crude protein
and calcium and possesses no toxic components. Still, the plant, except when very young (below
six inches in height) cannot be fed as such to the animals on account of its spinosed leaves.
An
easy method for making it fit for the consumption of animals has been suggested.
A mixture of Kantiara with various supplements like wheat bhusa, oat hay and molasses was
fed to different groups of animals for periods ranging from 5-15 weeks. The animals presented a
healthy appearance with apparently no untoward effect.
The crude protein percentage in the plant is superior to any of the straws and when fed with
wheat bhusa gave a positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. With green Kantiara and
wheat bhusa the animal was found to have gained 44 lb. in weight, while with dry Kantiara and wheat
bhusa the average gain in weight was 7.3 lb.
It is suggested that Kantiara may be used with advantage as a supplement fodder in times of
scarcity. The fairly high value of the digestibility coefficient of protein and nitrogen feed extract
give it a prominent place in the list of straws.
The amount of extra foodstuff available from this source has been estimated and from the figures
given in the text it will be seen that it is found in considerable quantity at a negligible cost.
REFERENCES
Kehar, N. D. (1944). Indian J. vet. Sci. 14, 40
——.
(1946). Indian J. vet. Sci. (In press)