Abstract 49

Sharma,-K; Ogra,-JL

Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Uttar Pradesh 281 122, India.

Indian-Journal-of-Animal-Sciences. 1990, 60: 7, 861-865; 21 ref.

In 2 trials, 10 mature, male Jamnapari and Barbari goats were fed on chopped green Pennisetum purpureum or dry local grasses for 20 days adaptation and 10 days collection. There were no breed differences in apparent digestibility and intake of nutrients for P. purpureum but DM intake/kg0.75 and DM, organic matter, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract and gross energy digestibilities were higher (P < 0.05) in Barbari goats given local grasses. Daily protein retention (g/kg0.75), rumen ammonia-nitrogen and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were higher and pH was lower in goats fed on P. purpureum, irrespective of breed.