NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
150
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FODDERS IN SAHIWAL COWS [Vol. XXIII, Part III,
TABLE IV—(contd.)
Intake, outgo and percentage assimilation of jowar and lucerne—contd.
Item
(average per day
Intake
Milk
Faeces and urine
Total outgo
Balance
Assimilation total
Per cent of intake
Intake
Milk
Faeces and urine
Total outgo
Balance
Assimilation total
Per cent of intake
Intake
Milk
Faeces and urine
Total outgo
Balance
Assimilation total
Per cent of intake
Intake
Milk
Faeces and urine
Total outgo
Balance
Assimilation total
Per cent of intake
Lucerne
Lenjurki
57.33
8.83
74.05
82.88
—25.55
—16.72
—29.16
256.68
28.01
219.26
247.27
+9.41
37.42
14.58
106.97
22.53
98.39
120.92
—13.95
8.58
8.02
114.01
15.27
101.45
116.72
—2.71
12.56
11.02
Larajbani
56.37
6.34
59.49
65.83
—9.46
—3.12
5.53
229.77
18.49
200.06
218.55
+11.22
29.71
12.93
110.43
30.45
80.68
111.13
—0.70
29.75
26.94
99.83
12.42
82.35
94.77
+5.06
17.48
17.51
Haskila
57.79
7.97
50.11
58.08
—0.31
7.66
13.25
214.11
26.50
176.21
202.71
+11.40
37.90
17.70
107.02
37.53
82.64
120.17
—13.15
24.38
22.78
97.27
13.16
80.13
93.29
+3.98
17.14
17.62
Yulamati
Jowar silage and lucerne hay
Lenjurki
Na 2 O in grams
56.89
5.95
70.84
76.79
—19.90
—13.95
—24.52
54.60
5.73
50.28
56.01
—1.41
4.32
7.91
K 2 O in grams
216.91
22.65
185.65
208.30
+8.61
31.26
14.41
303.68
31.91
257.63
289.54
+14.14
46.05
15.16
P 2 O 6 in grams
116.18
27.98
94.52
122.50
—6.32
21.66
18.65
118.47
28.91
90.63
119.54
—1.07
27.84
23.50
Cl in grams
103.89
12.26
87.38
99.64
+4.25
16.51
15.89
116.72
11.83
100.08
111.91
+4.81
16.64
14.26
Larajbani
50.19
7.91
61.90
69.81
—18.62
—10.71
—21.34
280.89
21.02
247.15
268.17
+12.72
33.74
12.01
110.13
27.99
86.24
114.23
—4.10
23.89
21.69
106.31
10.26
89.99
100.25
+6.06
16.32
15.35
Haskila
69.00
7.10
67.87
74.97
—5.97
1.13
1.64
325.18
25.15
292.59
317.74
+7.44
32.59
10.02
139.75
31.57
118.14
149.71
—9.96
21.63
15.46
128.28
11.88
109.93
121.81
+6.47
18.35
14.30
Yulamat
55.59
6.16
51.19
57.35
—1.76
4.40
7.92
221.76
19.89
193.06
212.95
+8.81
28.70
12.94
112.20
26.18
90.00
116.18
—3.98
22.20
19.79
98.65
11.28
77.24
88.52
+10.13
21.41
21.70
September, 1953] M. L. MATHUR AND S. V. DESAI 151
The average mineral balance and their standard error under the various feeds
in the four cows in grains per period, are given in Table V.
TABLE V
Average mineral balance and their standard error under various feeds
Mineral
CaO
MgO
Na20
K 2 O
P 2 O 5
Cl
CaO
MgO
Na 2 O
K 2 O
P 2 O 5
Cl
CaO
MgO
NaO 2
K 2 O
P 2 O 5
Cl
A
Unmanured
berseem
+16.22*
+0.88
+10.64*
+15.34*
—24.62*
+2.35
+5.74¶
+2.23
+8.55¶
+10.32
—13.83
+7.64*
+9.20*
+4.06¶
+3.53
+6.86*
—6.52
+5.02
B
Manured
berseem
Cow No. 1 Lenjurki
±2.79
±2.33
±1.00
±4.10
±2.70
±5.93
+21.39*
+3.35
+14.60*
—18.35
+3.34
—4.85
±4.27
±3.61
±0.96
±13.65
±3.08
±4.05
Cow No. 2 Larajbani
±1.84
±2.87
±2.17
±4.21
+7.15
±1.24
±1.96
±1.56
±2.28
±1.47
±3.98
±6.95
+12.90
—0.79
+7.57*
+5.73
—20.83*
+4.20
Cow No.
+10.39*
+6.66
+14.00*
+11.71
—8.00
+3.91*
±4.42
±1.16
±1.52
±7.13
±2.91
±1.10
3 Haskila
±2.26
±5.05
±2.43
±2.49
±6.39
±0.95
C
Green
lucerne
+16.83*
+7.45¶
—25.55*
+9.40*
—13.95¶
—6.7
+9.26¶
+3.82¶
—4.47
+11.23*
—0.70
+5.05
+10.66*
+3.20
—0.29
+11.40¶
—13.15¶
4.02*
±3.72
±2.13
±3.78
±1.90
±4.56
±5.85
±3.37
±1.45
±7.44
±1.43
±4.87
±2.76
±2.35
±3.0
±3.34
±3.01
±3.45
±0.80
D
Jowar silage
and hay
+8.0*
+6.05¶
—1.40
+14.31
—1.07
+4.83
+3.37
+3.78
—18.61*
+12.72¶
—4.13
+6.06
+6.20¶
+8.72
—4.82
+7.43
—9.96
+6.46*
±1.77
±1.99
±2.81
±5.72
±4.18
±1.93
±4.93
±1.53
±4.02
±3.85
±4.66
±3.05
±2.36
±1.03
±3.76
±6.11
±5.21
±1.15
5 AR/53
152
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FODDERS IN SAHIWAL COWS
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
TABLE V—(contd.)
Average mineral balance and their tandard error under various feeds
Mineral
CaO
MgO
NaO 2
K 2 O
P 2 O 5
Cl
A
Unmanured
berseem
+5.54
+6.48*
+4.22¶
+7.10
—3.05
+8.79*
±6.93
±1.01
±1.10
±2.82
±6.17
±1.16
B
Manured
berseem
C
Green
lucerne
Cow No. 4 Yulamati
+12.60*
+7.75*
+4.95
+3.54¶
+18.02¶
+4.06
±2.25
±1.01
±2.21
±1.20
±5.57
±2.58
+2.70
+4.24¶
—19.90*
+7.11
—6.48¶
+4.25
±4.34
±1.33
±3.50
±3.17
±2.39
±3.94
D
Jowar silage
and hay
+4.24*
+4.44
—1.69
+8.82
—3.97
+10.13
+0.81
±2.51
±1.41
±5.18
±1.66
±6.06
* Significant at one per cent.
¶ Significant at five per cent.
DISCUSSION
The following eight sets of observations were judged :—
1. Milk yield average per day
2. Live weight average per day
3. Retention and assimilation of CaO in grams per day
4. Retention and assimilation of P 2 O 5 in grams per day
5. Retention and assimilation of Na 2 O in grams per day
6. Retention and assimilation of MgO in grams per day
7. Retention and assimilation of K 2 O in grams per day
8. Retention and assimilation of Cl in grams per day
TABLE VI
Milk yield in pounds, average per day
Cows
Lenjurkini
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Total
Period I
A
32.2
B
32.5
C
37.7
D
28.0
131.2
Period II
B
34.5
C
31.8
D
34.0
A
29.3
129.6
Period III
C
34.5
D
29.8
A
36.0
B
29.0
129.1
Period IV
D
31.5
A
31.2
B
33.0
C
30.8
126.5
Total
132.5
125.3
140.7
117.9
516.4
September, 1953] M. L. MATHUR AND S. V. DESAI 153
The statistical analysis of the data showed that the fodders and the experimental
period did not introduce any significant change in milk yields, but the cows differed
significantly.
TABLE VII
Live-weight in pounds, average per day
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Total
Period I
A
990
B
1004
C
807
D
748
3549
Period II
B
1001
C
991
D
831
A
757
3580
Period III
C
984
D
987
A
839
B
752
3562
Period IV
D
928
A
974
B
829
C
751
3482
Total
3903
3956
3306
3008
14173
The statistical analysis of the data showed that the fodders and periods did not
introduce any significant change in the live.weights of the cows; but the cows
differed significantly.
Comparative assimilation of the minerals
The percentage of the minerals calcium, phosphorus, etc., used or utilized or
assimilated by the cows, is taken as the algebric sum of the mineral balance and the
mineral in the milk. In other words it is the total intake of the minerals minus the
outgo of the minerals in the faeces and urine.
154
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FODDERS IN SAHIWAL COWS [Vol. XXIII, Part III,
Assimilation of calcium
The total average daily intake of CaO and the part present in the fodders only
in the different cows during the various periods is consolidated in Table VIII.
TABLE VIII
Daily intake in CaO and the part present in fodders only
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Mean
Total intake of CaO (gm. per day)
A
Un-
manured
berseem
150.00
207.94
249.11
208.93
204.00
III
B
Manured
berseem
234.44
157.88
224.56
235.88
213.19
I
C
Lucerne
233.10
201.45
182.08
202.25
204.72
II
D
Silage
plus
hay
152.34
141.95
181.39
120.55
149.06
IV
CaO in fodders only (gm. per day)
A
Un-
manured
berseem
99.27
148.00
177.40
145.82
142.64
III
B
Manured
berseem
175.88
107.60
154.22
176.24
153.48
I
C
Lucerne
180.97
135.18
118.58
139.90
143.60
II
D
Silage
plus
hay
43.35
+50.00
35.41
+53.52
36.26
+74.25
29.39
+32.45
88.76
IV
It would appear that the manured berseem supplied the highest amount of lime
(CaO) and the total intake was also the largest during that period. Unmanured
berseem and lucerne were equal and come next. The lowest intake was during the
silage and hay period.
Table IX gives the average assimilation of CaO per day and the percentage
assimilation of the intake.
TABLE IX
Average assimilation of CaO per day
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Average
Average assimilation of CaO (gm per day)
Un-
manured
berseem
44.14
31.60
38.80
29.42
35.99
Manured
berseem
50.34
41.07
38.36
30.31
41.52
Lucerne
45.59
35.62
43.26
28.17
38.10
Jo.war
silage
and hay
34.24
27.86
34.77
27.78
31.10
Assimilation percentage of the Intake
Un-
manured
berseem
29.42
15.20
15.65
14.08
18.59
Manured
berseem
21.47
26.01
17.07
15.39
19.98
Lucerne
19.55
17.68
23.75
13.92
18.72
Jowar
silage
and hay
22.47
19.62
19.17
93.04
21.08
September, 1953] M. L. MATHUR AND S. V. DESAI 155
Table IX shows that the manured berseem period provided the highest assimila-
tion. Lucerne, unmanured berseem and jowar silage respectively were the next in
order whereas the percentage assimilation was the highest in silage period. This is
explained by the fact that intake of CaO during this period was much less.
The total assimilation was influenced by total intake to some extent. The
increased amount of intake helped in the retention and maintaining increased balances
to a certain limit after which it was excreted through the gut. The views expressed
by Haffman, et al. [1930], that actual intake of minerals has much greater signi-
ficance than the Ca : P ratio has been corroborated by the results of the present
experiments.
TABLE X
Average balance of CaO (gm. per day) during various periods
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Total
Period I
A
+16.22
B
+12.90
C
+10.66
D
+4.24
+44.02
Period II
B
+21.39
C
+9.26
D
+6.20
A
+5.54
+42.39
Period III
C
+16.83
D
+3.37
A
+9.20
B
+12.60
+42.00
Period IV
D
+8.00
A
+5.74
B
+10.39
C
+2.70
+26.83
Total
+62.44
+31.37
+36.45
+25.08
+155.24
The analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences between
the cows in, their mineral balances, as also between the four experimental periods
and between the treatments (fodders).
156 EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FODDERS IN SAHIWAL COWS
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
The mineral balances of calcium under four fodders with a supplement of chalk
are given in Table XI
TABLE XI
Mineral balances of calcium under four fodders
Treatments
A. Unmanured berseem
B. Manured berseem
C. Green lucerne
D. Jowar, silage and hay
Average CaO
balance
+9.18
+14.32
+9.86
+5.45
C. D. at five per cent—2.00
Manured berseem was significantly different from the other fodders and proved
to be the best for calcium retention. This was followed by unmanured berseem and
lucerne as there was no significant difference between them. Unmanured berseem
and lucerne were significantly different from jowar silage which proved to be poor
for calcium retention.
TABLE XII
Average calcium balances in different cows
Cows
1. Lenjurki
2. Lerajbani
3. Haskila
4. Yulamati
Average CaO
balances
+15.6
+7.8
+9.1
+6.3
C. D. at five per cent—2.0
The cow Lenjurki was significantly different from the other three cows and has
maintained high calcium balance. There was no difference between Larajbani and
Haskila and Larajbani and Yulamati, but Haskila was significantly different from
Yulamati.
TABLE XIII
Average calcium balances in different periods
Periods
I
II
III
IV
Average CaO
balance
+11.0
+10.6
+10.5
+6.7
C. D. at five per cent—2.0
158
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FODDERS IN SAHIWAL COWS
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
jowar silage and lucerne hay, but retention was much improved when unmanured
and manured berseem was fed. There was no significant effect on the calcium
contents of the milk by change of different fodders rich and poor in calcium.
Assimilation of magnesium
The total average daily intake of MgO and the part present in the fodders only
in the different cows during the various periods was as shown in Table XIV.
TABLE XIV
Daily intake of MgO and the part present in fodders only
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Mean
Total intake of MgO (gm. per day)
A
Un-
manured
berseem
55.50
72.07
88.37
71.26
71.80
B
Manured
berseem
73.09
59.54
82.86
75.14
72.66
C
Lucerne
75.17
70.56
67.94
77.90
72.89
D
Jowar
silage
and hay
76.71
73.62
89.91
67.75
77.00
MgO in fodders (gm. per day)
A
Un-
manured
berseem
20.30
28.13
35.34
25.31
27.27
B
Manured
berseem
29.83
21.73
30.01
29.96
27.88
C
Lucerne
30.12
24.39
21.11
31.40
26.75
D
Jowar
silage
and hay
32.98
33.55
37.02
23.46
31.75
The concentrates contained the major amount of magnesium in the diet and the
rest was present in the fodders. The amounts of magnesium ingested by way of
fodders were approximately the same.
Table XV gives the average assimilation of MgO per day and the percentage of
the intake.
TABLE XV
Average assimilation of MgO per day
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Mean
Total assimilation of MgO (gm. per day)
A
Un-
manured
berseem
4.95
6.29
8.54
10.30
7.52
B
Manured
berseem
8.08
3.40
12.0
11.53
8.73
C
Lucerne
12.0
7.95
8.09
9.22
9.31
D
Jowar
silage
and hay
10.63
7.65
13.26
8.10
9.91
Percentage assimilation of the intake of MgO
A
Un-
manured
berseem
8.98
8.72
9.66
14.44
10.45
B
Manured
berseem
11.05
5.71
14.48
15.34
11.64
C
Lucerne
15.96
11.27
11.91
11.84
12.74
D
Jowar
silage
and hay
13.86
10.39
14.75
11.96
12.74
At the level of intake of 71.8 gm. MgO in the feed (Table XIV) five grams in-
crease in the MgO contents of the intake has improved the assimilation by two
grams.
September, 1953] M. L. MATHUR AND S. V. DESAI 159
TABLE XVI
(a) Average balance of MgO in grams per day
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Total
Period
I
A
+ 0.88
B
—0.82
C
+ 3.20
D
+ 4.48
+ 7.75
Period
II
B
+ 3.34
C
+ 3.82
D
+ 8.72
A
+ 6.48
+ 22.36
Period
III
C
+ 7.46
D
+ 3.78
A
+ 3.73
B
+ 7.75
+ 22.76
Period
IV
D
+ 6.05
A
+ 2.39
B
+ 7.00
C
+ 4.75
+ 20.19
Total
+ 17.73
+ 9.17
+ 22.65
+ 23.47
+ 73.02
(b) Average balances of magnesium oxide in different treatments
Treatment i.e. fodders
A Unmanured berseem
B Manured berseem
C Lucerne
D Jowar silage and lucerne hay
Average balances
+ 3.97
+ 4.32
+ 4.81
+ 5.76
The analysis of average balances of MgO showed that the fodders, cows and
periods were not significant at five per cent level.
Positive magnesium balances were maintained in all the cows except in the
cows Larajbani during the manured berseem period since the cows had calved only
four days before the experiment started, only 11 lb. of grain mixture which contained
32.67 gm. MgO was given in the beginning and a negative balance of 0.82 gm. a day
occurred. When the quantity of the grain mixture was increased, positive balances
were maintained. The highest quantity of average daily intake of 89.91 gm. main-
tained a positive balance of 8.72 gm., the lowest average daily intake of 55.50 gm.
maintained a positive balance of 0.88 gm. Most of the excretion of magnesium
was through the faeces. There was no significant effect of change of fodders on the
composition of milk during the course of experiment.
The calcium and magnesium balances agreed as to the sign + in all the cows
during all the feeding periods except once in case of Larajbani as mentioned above.
Probably this was due to the inadequate amount of the grain mixture consumed by
the cow. It indicated some measure of dependance in the metabolic cycle. There
was some indication that the conditions which are favourable for the retention of
calcium may also be favourable for magnesium retention.
Assimilation of phosphorus
Table XVII gives the total average daily intake of P 2 O 5 and the portion present
in fodders only.
5 AR/53
160
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FODDERS IN SAHIWAL COWS
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
TABLE XVII
Daily intake of P 2 O 5 and the part present in fodders only
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Mean
Total intake of P 2 O 5 (gm. per day)
A
Un-
manured
berseem
81.10
106.24
121.99
104.06
103.35
B
Manured
berseem
111.99
91.36
129.82
118.91
113.02
C
Lucerne
106.97
110.43
107.02
116.18
110.15
D
Jowar
silage
and hay
118.47
110.13
139.75
112.20
120.14
P 2 O 5 in fodders (gm. per day)
A
Un-
manured
berseem
16.14
21.89
18.39
17.19
16.47
B
Manured
berseem
28.48
20.51
26.40
29.66
26.47
C
Lucerne
23.06
26.19
17.08
25.43
22.94
D
Jowar
silage
and hay
34.17
33.27
26.60
25.29
29.88
Table XVIII gives the average assimilation of P 2 O 5 and the assimilation per
cent of the intake.
TABLE XVIII
Average assimilation of P 2 O 5
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Mean
Total assimilation of P 2 O 5 (gm. per day)
Un-
manured
berseem
6.83
15.60
26.99
22.77
18.05
Manured
berseem
31.36
16.43
23.40
43.71
28.72
Lucerne
8.58
29.75
24.38
21.66
21.09
Jowar
silage
plus hay
27.84
23.87
21.61
22.20
23.88
Percentage assimilation of the intake of
P 2 O 5
Un-
manured
berseem
8.42
14.69
22.05
21.88
16.76
Manured
berseem
28.00
17.98
18.02
36.76
25.19
Lucerne
8.02
26.94
22.78
18.64
19.09
Jowar
silage
plus hay
23.49
21.67
15.48
19.78
20.10
It would be seen that the total assimilation and the percentage assimilation
was found to be the highest during the manured berseem period.
September, 1953] M. L. MATHUR AND S. V. DESAI 161
TABLE XIX
Average balance of P 2 O 5 in different cows during different periods
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Total
Average balance of P 2 O 5 (gm. per day)
Period
I
A
—24.62
B
—20.83
C
—13.15
D
—3.97
—62.56
Period
II
B
+ 3.34
C
—0.70
D
—9.96
A
—3.05
—10.37
Period
III
C
—13.95
D
—4.13
A
—6.52
B
+ 18'02
—6.58
Period
IV
D
—1.07
A
—13.83
B
—8.00
C
—6.48
—29.38
Total
—36.30
—39.49
—37.63
+ 4.52
—108.90
Treatments
A Unmanured berseem
B Manured berseem
C Lucerne
D Jowar silage and lucerne hay
Average
balance
—12.01
—1.87
—8.57
—4.78
C.D. at five per cent 14.51
C.D. at 10 per cent 8.15
It would appear that the manured berseem permitted the least negative balance
among all the periods showing negative balances. At 10 per cent level it was signi-
ficantly better than the others.
From Table XVII it would appear that the amount of P 2 O 5 in manured berseem
itself or in the total feed during its period was lesser than or about equal to others,
yet the assimilation was the highest, i.e. 28.72 gm. from manured berseem and the
loss of P 2 O 5 from the system was the lowest during the period ; the percentage
assimilation was also the highest 25.19 per cent in manured berseem.
The equilibrium could not be maintained and negative phosphorus balances
occurred during the four periods in all the cows except in two cows Lenjurki and
Yulamati only during the manured berseem period. The positive balances in
Lenjurki and Yulamati were maintained with an average daily intake of 112.0 and
118.9 gm. Their milk yields during those periods were 34.5 and 29 lb. respectively.
The negative balance in Larajbani and Haskila each giving on the average 33 lb.
milk per day occurred with an average daily intake of 91.4 and 129.8 gm.
Due to the negative balances occurring for about 6 to 7 weeks, no significant
difference was noticeable in phosphorus contents of the milk. The only variation
noticed in the P 2 O 5 contents of the milk was in the first two weeks after calving.
The effects of the various fodders in the different periods on the composition of the
milk were not significant.
162
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FODDERS IN SAHIWAL COWS
[Vol. XXIII, Part III,
The change of fodders as has been done in the present experiment has not shown
any marked effect on the composition of the milk. Most of the ingested phosphorus
was excreted in the faeces and only about one per cent in the urine.
Viswanath Iyer [1935] in the course of feeding experiments on bullocks found
that maturity of fodders lessened the mineral assimilation. This has been corro-
borated in the present experiments also. The legumes when in the prime stage of
growth allowed the maximum assimilation, which decreased with ripening of fodders.
CAO : P 2 O 5 RATIO
The CaO : P 2 O 5 ratio in the feed during the various periods has been arranged
according to four fodders in Table XX. The ratio seems to have some bearing on
the assimilation of calcium and phosphorus as discussed below:
TABLE XX
CaO : P 2 O 5 ratio in the feed during various periods
COWS
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Mean
CaO : P 2 O 5 in the feed
Un-
manured
berseem
1.86 : 1
1.96 : 1
2.04 : 1
2.00 : 1
1.96 : 1
Manured
berseem
2.09 : 1
1.73 : 1
1.73 : 1
1.99 : 1
1.88 : 1
Lucerne
2.18 : 1
1.82 : 1
1.70 : 1
1.74 : 1
1.86 : 1
Jowar
silage
and hay
1.29 : 1
1.29 : 1
1.29 : 1
1.07 : 1
1.23 : 1
CaO: P 2 O 5 in fodders
Un-
manured
berseem
6.05 : 1
6.76 : 1
9.65 : 1
8.48: 1
7.73 : 1
Manured
berseem
647 : 1
5.24 : 1
5.84 : 1
5.94: 1
5.80 : 1
Lucerne
7.84 : 1
5.16: 1
6.94: 1
5.50 : 1
6.36 : 1
Jowar
silage
and hay
2.73 : 1
2.68 : 1
4.15 : 1
2.44 : 1
3.0 : 1.0
Hart, et al. [1928] in all the metabolic trials with the dairy cows, had most
successful experience in maintaining equilibrium or positive calcium balances, when
the animals received green grasses fortified with calcium salts, like calcium carbonate
or bone meal. On these rations, the CaO intake was about 200 gm. and P 2 O 5 intake
180 gm. of cows giving 40 to 50 lb. milk per day. When marl was supplemented to
green grasses Ca : P ratio was 1 : 0.57 ; when bone meal was supplemented to green
grasses the ratio was 1: 0.86.
It appears likely that an unbalancing of Ca : P ratio in the feeds of the dairy
cows might lead to poor assimilation of calcium and phosphorus. Turner, Harding
and Hartman [1927] found that calcium balances and assimilation were decided by
better in high phosphorus period. The phosphorus assimilation was larger also
in the high phosphorus period and the percentage assimilation, even with the double
September, 1953]
M.L.
MATHUR
AND
S.
V.
DESAI
163
phosphorus intake, remained constant. Cows could assimilate calcium and phos-
phorus when the Ca: P ratio in the feed was as high as 2.5, but a more favourable
ration was from 1 to 1.5. Henderson [1925], found in case of pigs that when the
CaO: P 2 O 5 ratio was 1:1 there was adequate assimilation and retention of Ca
and P; but when the ratio was 1 : 2.5, the balances were very much lower showing poor
assimilation.
In the present experiments the assimilation of phosphorus was rather poor due
to the comparatively low phosphorus contents of the feed. Improved assimilation
had taken place, when manured berseem was fed, thus enriching the phosphate
contents of the fodder. The results indicate that with a higher Ca : P ratio, the
calcium assimilation was more and the phosphorus assimilation poor. The calcium
balances were all positive and with a high CaO : P 2 O 5 ratio in the feed, the assimi-
lation of calcium was more. Large amounts of CaO ingested in the feed, helped in
maintaining positive calcium balances, whereas during the low phosphorus period
when the ratio of CaO : P 2 O 5 naturally became high, negative phosphorus balances
occurred. Meigs, et al. [1926], suggested similar conclusions based on their experi-
ments of feeding hays cured in different ways.
The results of the experimental data of the previous workers as corroborated by
the results of the present experiments appear to warrant the conclusions that in
high milking cows the following factors tend to reduce the losses of calcium and
phosphorus.
(1) Maintaining high intake of calcium and phosphorus in the feed.
(2) Maintaining suitable ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the feed.
(3) Feeding green fodders specially legumes as compared to dry fodders ; hay,
or silage or other than legumes.
Assimilation of sodium
In Table XXI, the total intake of sodium (Na 2 O) during the various fodders
periods and the amount present in the fodders are given. In Table XXII the
average daily assimilation and the percentage assimilation out of the total intake of
Na 2 O are given.
TABLE XXI
Total intake of sodium and the amount present in fodders
Cows
Lenjurki
Larajbani
Haskila
Yulamati
Mean
Total intake of Na 2 O (gm. per day)
Un-
manured
berseem
103.56
94.68
108.52
108.32
103.77
Manured
berseem
113.93
90.37
124.07
107.88
109.04
Lucerne
57.33
56.37
57.79
56.89
57.09
Jowar
silage
and hay
56.40
50.19
69.00
55.59
57.79
Na 2 O in fodders (gm. per day)
Un-
manured
berseem
64.33
47.96
62.29
53.16
56.44
Manured
berseem
64.03
43.74
46.52
56.47
52.69
Lucerne
4.06
5.36
4.46
2.65
4.13
Jowar
silage
and hay
3.82
5.62
8.36
4.45
5.56