Nutritional evaluation of major range grasses from Cholistan desert

Abstract

A study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the nutritional status of ten grass species from Cholistan desert. The evaluated species were: Aeluropus lagopoides, Cenchrus ciliaris, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Lasiurus scindicus, Ochthochloa compressa, Panicum antidotale, Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divisum, Sporobolus iocladus and Stipagrostis plumosa. Proximate analysis showed that the investigated grasses have deficient levels of crude protein and ether extract to meet the requirements of ruminants being reared there but have sufficient supplies of dry matter, crude fiber and ash. However, fiber analysis reflected that all the ten investigated grasses have high levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemi-cellulose and lignin. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2013.