Yield and nutritive value of local races of grasses and legumes to rejuvenate pastures for sustaining livestock productivity in sub-Himalayan region of India

Abstract

Improved local races of 8 grasses and 5 legumes were evaluated for forage yield and nutritional characteristics for introduction in sub-Himalayan pastures. Forage yield was higher for in grasses and Phalaris aquatic-PAOnobrychis viciifolia- in legumes. Grasses had low (P&38;lt0.05) CP and more NDF, ADF and cellulose than OVlegumes. Grasses had higher (P&38;lt0.05) tCHO except TP, while legumes had higher non Trifolium pretense-structural carbohydrates-NSC. Lignin bound carbohydrate fraction (C ) was higher in legumes except CPhleum pretense-Festuca rubra-FR. PP and Protein fraction P (NPN) was lower (P&38;lt0.05) in grasses. Grasses and Alegumes had lowest contents of rapidly degradable protein fraction (P ). Grasses and legumes differed B1(P&38;lt0.05) in gross energy and digestible energy and legumes had higher total digestible nutrients (TDN) except Bromus unioloides-. Truly digestible non fibrous carbohydrates (tdNFC) and tdCP of legumes were higher BU(P&38;lt0.05) than grasses. Legumes and - had higher (P&38;lt0.05) , Medicago s ativa-MSCoronilla varia CVTRdigestible DM (DDM) except (59.38) and (60.78%). Dry matter intake (DMI) and Festuca arundinacea-FABU relative feed value (RFV) were higher (P&38;lt0.05) for legumes. Neutral detergent fiber and cellulose were negatively correlated (P&38;lt0.01) with TDN, energy and DDM, RFV, DMI, tdNFC and tdCP. P and moderately B1degradable protein fraction (P ) were positively correlated (P&38;lt0.01) with RDP, while lignin bound protein B2fraction (P ) was negatively associated with TDN, energy and DDM. The NSC was positively associated with CTDN, energy, DDM, RFV, DMI and tdCP. Variability in nutritional characteristics of grasses and legumes signify their potential to rejuvenate pastures to improve livestock production.