NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
September, 1950] BHALERAO, VENKATAPPIAH AND ANANTAKRISHNAN 165
TABLE X
Record of the reproduction capabilities and the ability of the mother to rear her
offsprings when fed on vanaspatis
Serial
num-
ber
Fat used
Number of
females
remained
sterile
Number of
young ones
born
female
male
Number of
deaths
before
weaning
Average weight
of young ones
at weaning time
female male
Second generation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Cow ghee*
Groundnut V. m.p.
37°C.*
Sesame V. m.p.
38.7°C.*
Cottonseed V. m.p.
38.5°C.*
Cow ghee
Groundnut V. m.p.
39.0°C.
Sesame V. m.p.
37.1°C.
Cottonseed V. m.p.
37.3°C.
—
1
—
1
1
—
—
—
12
8
15
10
10
20
10
25
17
13
14
13
13
22
17
23
—
—
—
—
killed by
mother
—
killed by
mother
—
19
24
25
23
23
23
21
25
23
24
24
25
24
25
23
25
Third generation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Cow ghee
Groundnut V. m.p.
37°C.
Sesame V. m.p.
38.7°C.
Cottonseed V. m.p.
38.5°C.
Cow ghee
Groundnut V. m.p.
39°C.
Sesame V. m.p.
37.1°C.
Cottonseed V. m.p.
37.3°C.
—
1
—
—
1
—
1
—
13
13
20
23
20
24
17
16
11
6
9
10
18
23
12
21
4 killed
by mother
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
25
26
26
24
22
22
22
24
24
24
25
21
23
24
25
25
*Four females were used for the experiment
September, 1950] BHALERAO, VENKATAPPIAH AND ANANTAKRISHNAN 167
V. m.p. 37.1°C., 38.7°C. and 39.3°C. and the cottonseed V. m.p. 35.5C°, 37.3C°.,
and 38.5°C. were used for the study of their growth rate and reproduction in rats.
There were practically no differences in the growth promoting values of different
fats when fed to the rats at a 5 per cent level in diets otherwise adequate for
growth.
There were also no differences in the reproduction capability and the lactating
power of the females on different fatty diets.
No differences were found in the growth rate and the reproduction capability
of the rats on different vanaspatis of melting points between 37.0°C. and 39.0°C.
when the growth experiments were continued over second and third generations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to express their thanks to the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research, for the grant they gave towards the expenditure incurred on this investiga-
tion.
REFERENCES
Basu, K. P. and Nath, H. P. (A, 1946). Indian J. med. Res. 34, 13
Basu, K. P. and Nath, H. P. (B, 1946). Indian J. med. Res. 34, 33
Bour, J. and Janson, B. C. P. (1942). Arch. Physiol, 26, 177
Boutwell, R. K., Geyer, A. A., Elvehjem, A. A. and Hart, E. B. (1943), J. Dairy Sci. 26, 429
——, (1943). J. Nutrit. 26, 601
——, (1941). J. Dairy Sci. 24, 1027
Deuel, H. J., Movitt, J. E., Hallman, L. (1943). Science, 98, 139
—— and Mattson, E. (1944). J. Nutrit. 27, 107
Euler, B. V., Euler, H. V. and Salberg, I. (1942). Arch. Chem. Mineral Geog. 15, B. (8)
Haris and Rosenfield (1940). Food Res. 5, 177
Henry, K., Kon, S. K., Hilditch, T. P. and Meara, M. L. (1945). J. Dairy Res. 14, 45
Hoagland, R., and Snider, G. G. (1940). U. S. Dept. agric. Tech. Bull. 725
——, (1941). J. Nutrit., 22, 65
——, (1942). U. S. Dept. agric. Bull. 821
Zialcita, L. P. and Mitchell, H. M. (1944). Science, 100, 60
NUTRITIVE VALUE OF BERSEEM (TRIFOLIUM ALXAN-
DRINUM LINN.)
I. EFFECT OF CUTTING AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH
By B. P. SRIVASTAVA, S. K. MUKERJI AND J. G. SHRIKHANDE, Chemistry Section,
Agricultural College, Kanpur
( Received for publication on 20 December 1949 )
( With five text-figures)
R EGULAR fodder supply in the green and succulent state throughout the
year is an important problem in dairying in India. It is difficult in this country
to maintain a green crop continuously due to drastic seasonal variations and long
period of draught except during the rains. Since India is too poor to maintain
pastures on artificial fertilizers and irrigation, leguminous crops are given first
consideration.
Although legumes like senji and saftal grow wild in our lands, they can not be
seriously considered because of their low yields and bad seeding habits. Lucerne
and berseem were attempted as substitutes but berseem was preferred because of
its adaptability to local conditions producing fairly satisfactory yields. In the
United Provinces berseem has been found to withstand a certain degree of salinity
and it also grows well in the late paddy areas during winter.
As the area under berseem cultivation increased with the desire to preserve it
as silage also, the question of its nutritive value at different stages of cut arose. This
communication deals with this aspect of the problem.
Several investigators have recorded the composition of grasses and legumes at
various stages of growth. Newlander, Jones and Ellenberger [1933] observed a
decrease in their protein and an increase in their fibre contents with maturity. Iyer
[1935] observed a decrease in the crude protein and soluble ash with maturity of
certain grasses. Lander [1937] noted a decrease in nutrients with the maturity of
grasses which was subsequently confirmed by Fraps and Fudge [1940]. Das Gupta
[1942] made a preliminary study of the composition of berseem as affected by
maturity. Dharmani [1945] found a decrease in the nutritive value of berseem with
the increase in the cutting interval.
These workers have indicated only the period when the herbage gave the maximum
nutritive value after sowing. In this investigation berseem was harvested at weekly
intervals during the entire life process of the plant up to pod formation and the yield
and composition were determined from an experiment laid out statistically.
EXPERIMENTAL
Berseem was sown on the 11th and on the 15th October 1946 and 1947 respectively
after jowar (Sorghum vulgare). The experiment was randomized with four treatments
( 169 )
D
170
NUTRITIVE
VALUE
OF
BERSEEM
[Vol. XX, Part III
and eight replications. The blocks were also fixed at random. The plot was over an
acre and the sub-plot area was one-fortieth of an acre. The length of each sub-plot
was about twice its breadth. Sampling was done according to the method adopted
by Walrath [1948]. Care was taken to avoid sampling of the same plot twice. The
following were the treatments :
Treatment A. After sowing the plants were allowed to mature and samples were
taken at weekly intervals to determine yield and composition.
Treatment B. Only one cut was taken and the regular sampling was continued
till maturity.
Treatment C. Two cuts were taken and the samples were then regularly obtained.
Treatment D. Three cuts were taken before sampling of berseem.
OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS
The green matter yield from each sub-plot was carefully recorded. Fig. 1
represents the average of eight yields. The material was then dried at 100°C. and
powdered to pass through 1 mm. sieve ; this was preserved for subsequent analysis.
The following determinations were made on these samples :—
(a) crude protein, (b) pepsin digestible protein, (c) petroleum ether extract.
(B.P. 40°C—50°C), (d) crude fibre, (e) organic matter, (f) calcium (g)
phosphoric acid, (h) magnesium, (i) potassium and (j) other minerals.
All these are represented graphically.
The curves in Fig. 1 show an increase of both green and dry matter up to
maturity if the crop were allowed to mature without any cut. Rate of growth of
plants however became slow after nine weeks of sowing The cut was therefore
taken at this stage for analysis. The yield was 2892 kg. per acre of green material
and 532 kg. of dry matter.
The first cut was followed by profuse tillering and sharp growth. Maximum
growth was subsequently obtained after seven weeks of the first cut. The yield of
green and dry matter amounted to 3200 kg. and 630 kg. respectively. It may be seen
from the figures that the rate of growth of tillers after this slowed down. At this
stage analysis was decided and second cut was taken.
After the second cut the increase in tillering continued vigorously. The weed
which infested the plot after sowing showed a decrease after each cut and after
second cut, the plot was more or less of pure berseem. The rate of growth of tillers
was observed ; this increased quickly up to sixth week and the yield of green and dry
matter at this stage reached 3671 kg. and 740 kg. respectively. Third cut was
taken and the material was sampled for analysis.
After three cuts the rate of tillering was profuse, but at this stage the weeds which
were supressed by the previous cuts began to reappear. The rate of growth was
followed up to the stage of pod formation. The last cut was taken after four weeks
of the third cut. The moisture percentage in berseem at this stage was found to
decrease rapidly thus affecting succulence and the final cut was taken when the
dry matter percentage was nearly 25. The yield obtained was 4453 kg. of green
and 1170 kg. of dry matter respectively. Sample at this stage was collected and
analyzed.
September, 1950] SRIVASTAVA, MUKERJI AND SHRIKHANDE 171
FIG. 1. Yield of green herbage and dry matter per acre
D 2
172
NUTRITIVE VALUE OF BERSEEM
[Vol. XX, Part III
FIG. 2a. Percentage composition of berseem with maturity
September, 1950] SRIVASTAVA, MUKERJI AND SHRIKHANDE 173
FIG. 2b. Average yield per acre of crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract in kg.
174
NUTRITIVE VALUE OF BERSEEM
[Vol. XX, Part III
A composite sample for all the eight replications was submitted to chemical
and enzymatic analysis. Figs. 2a and 2b represent the percentage composition and
yield in kilogram per acre of crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract.
It will be observed that the protein decreased with maturity. The decrease was
very rapid in the beginning and then slowed down. The decrease was proportional
to the rate of growth in the early stage but later though the growth rate was appre-
ciable, the protein content did not go down. This resulted in a slightly higher pro-
tein yield per acre in the later stages of growth. The date fixed for taking subsequent
cuts therefore had to take into consideration other components.
Ether extract decreased throughout the life of the plant in all the cuts. When
the yield of ether extract per acre is considered we see the following differences :—
(a) The rate of fall is more rapid than the protein.
(b) The yield per acre goes down till the end and the increase in dry matter
with maturity does not affect its yield as for protein.
Crude fibre in berseem increased with maturity. The increase was slow in the
beginning and rapid afterwards. The curve for crude fibre runs parallel to those for
protein and ether extract.
Fibre decreases palatability and food value. In the animal system energy is
spent in breaking down the fibre ; this energy can be profitably utilized for produc-
tion. This makes berseem feeding less economical at high fibre content. This
increase of nutritive ratio gives a strong support to early harvest.
From the above it will be noted that there occurs a period in the life cycle of
berseem plant beyond which the increase in protein and ether extract is not signi-
ficant. Fibre on the other hand increases both impairing food value and palatability.
Digestibility of protein was determined by peptic digestion in vitro. Figs. 3a
and 3b represent the results along with nitrogen-free extract and total carbohydrates.
The digestibility of protein decreases with maturity and becomes very low at the
flowering stage. With every cut the digestibility of fresh tillers is greater than the
original crop. Therefore each cut improves the nutritive value in so far as we get
more out-turn of digestible protein per acre. Digestible protein in a crop decreases
with maturity whereas dry matter and yield per acre increase with maturity resulting
in a slight increase in digestible protein per acre.
The nitrogen-free extract of the plant decreases only towards the final harvest
time suggesting insoluble carbohydrate formation whereas the yield per acre goes on
increasing uptil maturity.
We have so far considered the organic constituents of the crop, the minerals of the
berseem must also be taken into consideration when we deal with the nutritive value
at different stages of growth and as affected by cuts.
In minerals, calcium and phosphorus are the most important in animal nutri-
tion. Any disturbance in the balance of these nutrients in the animal system
generally affects the health and production of animal.
September, 1950] SRIVASTAVA, MUKERJI AND SHRIKHANDE 175
FIG. 3a. Percentage of total carbohydrates, nitrogen-free extract and digestible
protein
176
NUTRITIVE VALUE OF BERSEEM
[Vol. XX, Part III
FIG. 3b. Yield of total carbohydrates, nitrogen-free extract and digestible protein
in kg. per acre
September, 1950] SRIVASTAVA, MUKERJI AND SHRIKHANDE 177
FIG. 4. Percentage mineral content of berseem
E
178
NUTRITIVE VALUE OF BERSEEM
[Vol. XX, Part III
FIG. 5. Yield of minerals in kg. per acre at different stages of berseem
180
NUTRITIVE
VALUE
OF
BERSEEM
[Vol. XX, Part III
of two months. The protein content was 18 per cent of which 61 per cent was digesti-
ble. Though this was lower than that obtained before the first cut was taken ;
this value is suitable for different productive purposes. Out of 9 per cent minerals
2 per cent was potash, which indicated proper salt concentration in the feed. CaO :
P 2 O 5 was 8 : 1 suggesting a low phosphorus content and calls for an additional
supplement of phosphoric acid. Calcium-magnesium ratio was normal. The ether
extract yield per acre was optimum. The fibre was not too high after the first cut.
Harvesting after one cut ensures maximum nutrient removal coinciding with
nutrients in an almost balanced state. At this stage berseem could be fed green or
preserved as silage. It may also be cured as hay to be used as a protein supplement
to replace a part of the concentrate ration.
The second harvest of berseem after seven weeks from the first cut gave another
series of tillers ; this tillering occurring in spring possessed greater moisture content
than the original crop. The dry matter per cent was 13 per cent only. In order to
raise the yield of nutrients per acre berseem was allowed to grow at a less rapid rate,
till the cessation of further growth when dry matter reached a level of 20 per cent.
Protein after the second cut was 17.33 per cent which provided digestible protein
to the extent of 66 per cent ; the second cut thus yielded more digestible protein per
acre than the first cut. Ether extract per acre was lower. Fibre and total carbohy-
drates were higher than after the first cut. Out of 10 per cent minerals calcium oxide
was 3.36 per cent, and phosphoric acid was only 0.3 per cent. The calcium phosphoric
acid ratio being 11.2 calls for an addition of phosphates to balance the ration. Potash
was 1.3 and magnesium 0.56 per cent.
From these considerations it appears that the next harvesting of berseem should
be done after six weeks of the previous cut. Because of the rise in temperature and
flowering of the plants due to hot weather, succulence decreased dry matter being
19 per cent and 27.6 per cent at the end of fourth and sixth weeks. The growth
beyond this stage slowed down.
Yield of nutrients however at this stage was proportionately high due to low
moisture content in the plant after giving three cuts. Due to maturation process
digestible protein went down with a corresponding increase in fibre. This apparen-
tly decreased the food value of berseem.
The final harvesting was meant for straw making. The product is similar to
coarse fodders and is not suitable for silage or partial substitute for concentrates.
Calves and milch cattle may not be fed on this. Dry cows and draught bullocks
which have greater power for utilising coarse fodders may be given this as a roughage.
SUMMARY
The feeding value of berseem at different stages of cuts was obtained by chemical
means.
The yield of green berseem per acre increased with growth after sowing as well as
after each cut.
The succulence decreased and the yield of dry matter increased after sowing and
each cut improved succulence and out turn per acre.
September, 1950] SRIVASTAVA, MUKERJI AND SHRIKHANDE 181
Crude protein, digestibility and ether extract decreased on growth after sowing.
Cuts gave rise to tillers which improved the nutrient status. Crude fibre and total
carbohydrates increased.
There was decrease in potash and phosphoric acid whereas calcium content
increased with growth up to the flowering stage.
First cut is recommended within first fortnight following two months of sowing
when the yield of green herbage and dry matter was 2892 kg. and 532 kg. respectively.
Digestibility of protein was 81 per cent, CaO : P 2 O 5 was 5 : 1, and CaO : MgO
was 6 : 1.
Second cut is recommended after two months of the first cut when the yield of
green berseem and dry matter were 3232 kg. and 630 kg. respectively with a succul-
ence of 80.5 per cent. Digestibility of protein was 62 per cent, CaO : P 2 O 5 was
8 : 1 and CaO : MgO was 8 : 1.
Third cut is recommended after one and a half months of second cut when
the yield of green berseem was 3671 kg. and dry matter 740 kg. with a succulence
of 80 per cent. Digestibility of protein was 67 per cent and CaO : P 2 O 5 was 10 : 1
requiring an extra supply of P 2 O 5 in the feed ; CaO : MgO was 6 : 1.
Final harvesting may be done four weeks after the third cut. Feed at this stage
was coarse and suitable for working bullocks and dry cattle as roughage.
REFERENCES
Das Gupta, N. C. (1942). Indian J. vet. Sci. 12 (1), 30-36
Dharmani, Lal Chand and Atma Singh, (1945). Indian J. agric, Sci. 26 (III), 284-289
Fraps, G. S. and Fudge, J. F. (1940). Texas Sta. Bull. 582, 35
Iyer, A. V. (1935). Indian J. vet. Sci. 5, 129
Lander, P. E. (1937). I. C. A. R. Misc. Bull. 16
Newlander, J. A.; Jones C. H. and Ellenberger, H. B. (1933). Vt. Sta. Bull. 362
Wiley, H. W. (1914). Agricultural Analysis 3, 681
Walther, Ward and Strave (1948). Soil, Sci. 65, 263
THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF THE INDIGENOUS
GRASSES OF ASSAM
II. THE ACID PRODUCING PASTURE GRASS ULU (IMPERATA
ARUNDINACEA, CYRILL) AS A CATTLE FEED
BY S. K. TALAPATRA, PH.D., U. P. College of Veterinary Science and Animal
Husbandry, Mathura
( Received for publication on 20 February 1948)
A S is well-known, herbivora urine is normally slightly alkaline. Under certain
conditions of feeding, however, urine tends to become acidic. Iyer, Ayyar
and Dasgupta [1935] in their studies on the influence of progressive ripening of
fodders on the mineral nutrition of cattle observed that with progressive maturity
urine became less and less alkaline till it definitely turned acidic with a number of
fodders. These authors, however, remarked that the excretion of the mineral calcium
in urine was definitely related to the acid base equilibrium, the higher the alkalinity,
the lower was the urinary calcium and that the serum calcium was closely related
to urinary clacium ; with each fodder an increase of urinary calcium was paralleled
by a corresponding increase of serum calcium. They finally came to the conclusion
that serum calcium showed an increase as the crop advanced in maturity and was
not dependent either on the intake or the balance of calcium.
Again the feeding of some stuffs like paddy straw and Napier grass, which
usually contain large quantities of potassium in combination with oxalic acid, produces
in the animal body an extreme form of alkalinity followed by severe diuresis as
observed by Talapatra et al [1942] and Sen, Roy and Talapatra [1942]. The results
obtained by Iyer, Ayyar and Dasgupta is in consonance with the observation
[Talapatra et al (loc cit.)]. that the potassium salt of the organic acid, which appears
to be responsible for excessive alkalinity in most of these feeding stuffs, decreases
as the plant matures. However, from the available data it appears that reduced
alkalinity or slight acidity may be normally expected by feeding fodders at their
ripe stages and there seems to be little or no reference in the literature on the effect
of feeding grasses which normally induce acidic urine even when fed at their early
stage.
With a view to ascertain the causes responsible for the poor productive activi-
ties of cattle in Assam, we have recently undertaken a very detailed survey of the
pasture grasses on which practically thrives the entire cattle population. During
the course of our survey, it has been observed that the feeding of the pasture grass
ulu (Imperata arundinacea, Cyrill), which is predominant in almost all the grazing
areas of the province, leads to acidic urine regardless of the stage at which it is fed
to cattle.
( 183 )
G
September, 1950]
S.
K.
TALAPATRA
185
TABLE I
Composition of ulu grass (on dry basis) from the various pastures
Name
Mangaldai
Nowgong
Jalukbari
B. Chapari
Goalpara
Jorhat
Gauhati
Young
Prime
Young
Prime
Young
Prime
Young
Prime
Young
Prime
Young
Young
Prime
Late
Crude
protein
7.4
5.8
7.5
4.9
6.9
4.4
4.5
4.3
6.6
5.2
4.9
6.9
5.2
3.5
Calcium
0.26
0.25
0.29
0.26
0.33
0.30
0.43
0.40
0.38
0.30
0.50
0.36
0.34
0.26
Phosphorus
0.21
0.12
0.16
0.11
0.11
0.10
0.10
0.09
0.25
0.17
0.14
0.24
0.19
0.14
TABLE II
Composition of ulu grass of Khanapara Farm used in metabolism trials (on dry basis)
Crude protein
Ether extract
Ash
Crude fibre
N-free extract
Total carbohydrate
Calcium (Ca)
Phosphorus (P)
Nitrogen (N)
Young
6.56
3.33
7.92
34.6
47.6
82.2
0.388
0.218
1.05
7.44
3.26
8.73
33.4
47.7
80.57
0.361
0.213
1.19
Prime
5.223
3.21
8.18
32.4
51.0
83.4
0.341
0.190
0.834
5.825
..
..
..
..
..
0.242
0.182
0.932
Late
3.53
1.62
6.75
39.4
48.7
88.1
0.261
0.141
0.565
G2
186 NUTRITIVE VALUE OF THE INDIGENOUS GRASSES OF ASSAM [Vol. XX, Part III
be taken as representatives of the province and hence any results obtained by feed-
ing these will in general be applicable in the formulation of practical ration anywhere
in the province.
The data shown in Tables I and II further show that at the early stage, the
grass is moderately rich in the essential nutrients, which may be regarded as a fairly
adequate one for maintenance. At the prime stage, however, when the yield is quite
considerable, it is hardly a maintenance ration. The content of phosphorus seems
to be very low.
Adult animals as experimental subjects
Six adult bullocks (local Assamese) of about 400 lb. body-weight were taken
for the metabolism experiments. They were fed for a sufficiently long period with
the grass at the prime stage ad lib along with a concentrate mixture consisting of
one pound of rice bran and 0.5 lb. of oil-cake. The animals voided on an average
of about 1.5 litres of urine which was definitely acidic in that the fresh urine turned
blue litmus red at once. When sulphuric acid was added to a large volume of urine,
no trace of carbon dioxide could be obserevd. The faeces, however, was not so
soft as is ordinarily observed under any green feeding. In fact, the feeding of
the grass seemed to correct the looseness of the bowels. The animals were kept
on this feed for about two months without any evil effect. At the end of this period,
they were divided into two groups, three in each. One group was allowed to continue
on the same ration, while one ounce of wood-ash was added in the ration fo each
animal in the other group. This means that both the group were virtually kept
on the same ration. The object of adding wood-ash was to counteract a mild form
of acidosis and to bring about normal condition in the animial system. As per expecta-
tion, the administration of wood-ash had the desired effect, the animals began to
pass alkaline urine, while those without it continued to void acidic urine. At the
end of three weeks of feeding wood-ash, a metabolism experiment was conducted
to determine the comparative efficiency of utilisation of the organic nutrients of
the grass under the two sets of feeding. The dry matter consumption and the
digestibility co-efficients under the two sets of feeding are shown in Table III.
TABLE III
Dry matter consumption of animals
Animal number
Wood-ash
No wood-ash
1
2
3
4 5
6
Body-
weight
lb.
396
386
369
366
354
345
Green
ulu
consumed
lb.
19.5
17.5
18.8
17.5
16.3
15.3
Dry
matter
of ulu
per cent.
40.0
40.0
Dry
matter
consumed
lb.
7.8
7.0
7.5
7.0
6.5
6.1
Consump-
tion per
100 lb.
body-
weight
lb.
2.0
1.9
2.0
1.9
1.8
1.8
Average
per
100 lb.
lb.
2.0
1.8