Vol. 9, Issue 4, Part B (2024)

Author(s): Elanchezhiyan M, Ayyappan K, Ramachandran M, Shibi Thomas K, Saravanan KP and Srinivasan G

Abstract: The present research work was conducted to study the effect of replacing paddy straw with maize (Zea mays) cob in the Total Mixed Ration (TMR). Total Mixed Rations (TMR1 to TMR5) were prepared using maize cob at the level of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% replacing paddy straw in the ration containing 12% CP and 60% TDN of 50:50 concentrate to roughage ratio and also ration (TMR6 to TMR10) containing 15% CP and 60% TDN of 40:60 concentrate to roughage ratio. There was significant (p<0.01) differences among the rations in organic matter (OM), crude fibre (CF), nitrogen free extract (NFE), total ash (TA), acid insoluble ash (AIA), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), hemicellulose and cellulose contents except crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE). Among TMR1 to TMR5, in vitro gas production study showed significantly (p<0.01) higher total gas (ml/200 mg/48 h), in vitro dry matter (IVDMD %) and organic matter digestibility (IVOMD %) in TMR5 and lowest in TMR1 (51.17 vs 36.00; 62.87 vs 57.25 and 64.80 vs 59.93). Among TMR6 to TMR10, in vitro gas production study showed significantly (p<0.01) higher total gas (ml/200 mg/48 h), in vitro dry matter (IVDMD %) and organic matter digestibility (IVOMD %) in TMR10 and lowest in TMR6 (46.50 vs 32.17; 60.06 vs 53.01; 62.34 vs 55.58). It can be concluded that maize cob could replace paddy straw at 100% level in total mixed ration without affecting nutrient fermentation and digestibility in vitro.