Effect of maturity on production efficiency, nutritive value and in situ nutrients digestibility of three cereal fodders

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare productive potential and nutritional worth of maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and millet (Pennisetum americanum) fodders. These fodders were grown in experimental plots (1.8x6 m of each) according to Completely Randomized Design. Each fodder was manually harvested at three physiological stages i.e., pre heading (CS1), heading (CS2) and milk stage (CS3). The results showed that green fodder, Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP) and Total Digestible Nutrient (TDN) yields (tonha -1) increased with the advancement of age of all fodders. The maximum yield of three fodders was noticed at milk growth stage. Higher green fodder and DM yield was observed in millet than those of maize and sorghum fodders. Whereas, higher CP yield was noticed in maize than those in sorghum and millet fodders. However, TDN yield was similar in both maize and millet fodders. The DM, Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) and Water Soluble Carbohydrate (WSC) contents increased (p<0.05) in all three fodders with advancing age. However, CP, TDN and Metabolizable Energy (ME) contents decreased (p<0.05) in all fodders with the advancement of their growth. In situ DM, Organic Matter (OM) and NDF digestibilities of three fodders decreased (p<0.05) with the advancement of age both at 24 and 48 h of ruminal incubation. The DM, OM and NDF digestibilities of maize, sorghum and millet fodders decreased with advancing age by 11.10, 18.48 and 14.08%; 10.24, 11.25 and 12.18% and 12.59, 18.36 and 23.69%, respectively at 48 h of ruminal incubation. Based upon biomass and nutrient yields, the milk growth stage was the best physiological stage irrespective of the type of fodders. © 2007 Academic Journals Inc.