Pakistan Vet. J., 2009, 29(3): 133-137.

FEED INTAKE, WEIGHT GAIN AND HAEMATOLOGY IN NILI-RAVI BUFFALO HEIFERS

FED ON MOTT GRASS AND BERSEEM FODDER SUBSTITUTED WITH SALTBUSH
(ATRIPLEX AMNICOLA)

J. A. BHATTI, M. YOUNAS1, M. ABDULLAH, M. E. BABAR AND H. NAWAZ1

University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore;

1
Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

A feeding management experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Mott grass and berseem
fodder substituted with saltbush on the performance of Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers. Fifteen buffalo heifers of
8 months age and 120 kg average initial body weight were divided into five equal groups and fed on T1,
T2, T3, T4 and T5 having Mott (Pennisetum purpurium), Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum),
Mott+Saltbush, Berseem+Saltbush and Mott+Berseem+Saltbush, respectively. The experiment was
completed in five phases of five weeks each. Higher (P<0.05) mean DM contents were observed in saltbush
substituted diets (T3, T4 and T5) than T2 and T1. Crude protein contents were higher (P<0.01) in
Berseem+Saltbush and Berseem alone. Ash contents were significantly (P<0.01) higher in saltbush
containing diets as compared to Mott and Berseem alone. Mean daily DMI was higher (P<0.01) on T2,
followed by T4, T1, T5 and T3. Daily water intake was significantly higher (P<0.01) in heifers on saltbush
substituted diets. Highest daily weight gain was observed on Berseem alone and on saltbush combination
diets. RBCs count was higher (P<0.05) on T1 and T3, and lowest on T4 (berseem+saltbush). WBCs count
(P<0.05) were 9.19 ± 0.75, 9.63 ± 0.75, 9.34 ± 0.75, 8.85 ± 0.75 and 8.96 ± 0.75 × 103 µl-1 on T1, T2, T3,
T4 and T5, respectively. Haemoglobin contents were higher (P<0.01) in heifers on saltbush containing diets
and Berseem alone. PCV varied significantly (P<0.01) among treatments and was higher on saltbush
substituted diets. Buffalo heifers performed better on Berseem and saltbush diets. It is concluded that
saltbush can be incorporated in the conventional diets of Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers up to 50% as an alternate
forage source when conventional fodders are short and their nutrient contents are low during severe winter
and summer seasons.

Key words: Atriplex amnicola, buffalo heifers, weight gain, DMI.

INTRODUCTION The farmers in these areas face fodder shortage during

both seasons.
Buffalo is the major dairy animal in Pakistan, The area under fodder production is only 14% of
contributing approximately 67% of total milk produced the total cultivated land in the country, which produces
in the country (Afzal et al., 2007). The present 58 million tonnes of fodder, being highly inadequate to
population of approximately 27.3 million heads of meet the requirements of our livestock. Mostly, the
buffaloes place Pakistan at second position in the world farmers have to rely on cereal straws, crop residues,
after India and before China (Khan et al., 2007). The farm wastes and some times on expensive feed
Nili-Ravi is the most popular dairy buffalo breed and is supplements to fill the feed gap. In terms of roughages,
mainly reared in Punjab. Pakistan is recognized as the our animals are getting about 40% less green fodder
5th largest milk producing country in the world but per including the pastures and roughage’s situation shows a
head milk yield is still much less as compared to deficiency of about 19% (Sial and Alam, 1988).
Saltbushes are the major salt tolerant fodder
production level of animals being maintained in the
species for productive use of saltland, having medium
developed countries (Economic Survey, 2006).
to high concentrations of protein, low concentration of
Forages are an important source of cheaper feed
metabolisable energy and relatively low to high
and their role may be assessed from the fact that their concentrations of salt (Barrett-Lennard et al., 2003). If
feeding alone constitutes nearly 70% of the total cost of grown on saline soils in Pakistan, saltbush can help to
livestock production. Berseem and oats are grown meet the feed deficits. Realizing the importance of this
during Rabi season to meet fodder needs in winter and sector, there is need to improve the animal production
cultivation of mott, sorghum and maize is practiced to practices through better feeding management at all
fulfil the summer requirements. These fodder crops are stages of animals life especially the growing buffalo
not sufficient to meet the requirements under traditional heifers which are ignored by the farmers because they
productional specifically in the salinity affected areas. are paying more attention to lactating and market

133
 134 Pakistan Vet. J., 2009, 29(3): 133-137.

buffaloes. Therefore, the present study was conducted contents were higher in the saltbush containing diets
to evaluate the saltbush as a substitute in the diets of (T3, T4 and T5) compared to diets containing Mott or
large ruminants for improved growth performance. Berseem alone (Table 1). High DM as observed in the
study were comfirmed by the Pichard et al. (1988), who
MATERIALS AND METHODS reported high (35-55%) dry matter content of green
leaves of 13 species of trees and shrubs.
A feeding experiment was conducted to determine Crude protein (CP) contents of T1, T2, T3, T4 and
the effect of saltbush (Atriplex amnicola) substitution in T5 diets were 8.20 ± 0.23, 16.80 ± 0.23, 8.60 ± 0.23,
mott grass (Pennisetum purpurium) and Berseem 13.80 ± 0.23 and 11.50 ± 0.23%, respectively.
(Trifolium alexandrinum) on the performance of Nili- Significant (P<0.01) difference was observed between
Ravi buffalo heifers. Fifteen buffalo heifers of 8 months treatments (Table 1). The CP content of whole dried
age and 120 kg average initial body weight were plants ranged from 6.6% in A. Amnicola to 9.2% in A.
divided into five equal and housed individually in the Vesicaria grown in Western Australia (Malcolm et al.,
conventional tail to tail system. The experiment was 1988). Diets with shrub pasture containd more CP than
conducted for a period of 25 weeks having five phases those with grass pastures and A. canescens (10% CP)
of five weeks each. The buffalo heifers were provided was recommended for rangeland improvement by
one week adjustment period and fed on Mott, Berseem, Otsyina and Mckell (1986). Bhattacharya (1989)
Mott+Saltbush (50:50), Berseem+Saltbush (50:50) and reported that A. Halimus cuttings contained 18% CP on
Mott+Berseem+Saltbush (33.3:33.3:33.4) diets design- DM basis.
ated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively (Table 1). Ash contents were significantly (P<0.01) higher in
The data on daily dry matter intake, water intake and saltbush containing diets as compared to Mott (T1) and
weekly weight gain were recorded. Berseem alone (T2), as shown in Table 1. The present
Two representative samples were taken from bulk study indicated higher ash contents in the saltbush
of fresh fodder used for feeding to heifers on different containing diets as compared to conventional fodder
treatments during each period. The samples were diets especially Mott. Gihad (1993) found high ash
analyzed for dry matter, crude protein and ash contents content of saltbush (20 to 38 %) and up to 10% NaCl in
(AOAC, 1990). saltbush. Guevara et al. (2005) compared saltbush and
The Blood samples were taken in 10cc disposable alfalfa hay and reported mean values of ash as 25.3 and
syringes having added EDTA from each heifer CP 13.6%, respectively.
belonging to different treatments three times each
during the five phases. The samples were analyzed for Dry matter intake
RBCs (Schalm et al., 1975), WBCs (Coles, 1974), The highest DMI was observed for T2 having
haemoglobin concentration (Benjamin, 1985) and Berseem fodder alone, followed by T4
packed cell volume (Bush, 1975). (Berseem+Saltbush), T1 (Mott grass alone), T5
The data thus collected were averaged on weekly (combination of three fodders) and the lowest on T3
basis and analyzed using Mixed Model Least Squares having Mott+Saltbush (Table 2). Analysis of variance
and Maximum Likelihood computer programme showed a significant (P<0.01) difference between
(Harvey, 1990) to perform analysis of variance. Means treatments (Table 2). Gupta et al. (1983) reported
were compared by Duncan Multiple Range test, where higher dry matter intake in lactating Murrah buffaloes
necessary (Duncan, 1955). when given choice to have more than one feeds.
Present results clearly indicate significant effect of
Table 1: Composition of treatment diets (Mott grass type of fodder and combination of forages on DMI.
and Berseem fodder substituted with Combination of forages up to fifty fifty (50:50) basis
Saltbush) fed to Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers seems desireable as far as DMI was concerned. Abu-
Treatments DM CP Ash Zanat (2005) suggested inclusion of Atriplex
T1 19.10 ± .626b 08.20 ± 0.23e 09.60 ± 0.07c nummularia in the diet up to 50% with no adverse
T2 18.40 ± .626b 16.80 ± 0.23a 09.50 ± 0.07c effect on DMI.
T3 22.50 ± .626 a 08.60 ± 0.23d 13.20 ± 0.07a In buffalo heifers, daily DMI was comparatively
T4 22.40 ± .626 a 13.80 ± 0.23b 13.20 ± 0.07a less on saltbush substituted diets than on Berseem and
T5 21.40 ± .626 a 11.50 ± 0.23c 11.75 ± 0.07b Mott alone, which may be due to higher salt contents in
Values with different superscripts within a column the saltbush. Riaz et al. (1994) reported significant
differ significantly (P<0.05). decrease in feed intake with the increase in the level of
Atriplex amnicola, feeding alone or in combination with
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION the conventional forage (Sudex) in Teddy goats.
Depressed feed intake was also found at high salt
Feed composition intakes by grazing ruminants (Masters et al., 2006).
Mean dry matter (DM) contents were highest in High intakes of salt led to decreased feed intake by
T3, followed by T4, T5, T1 and T2 (Table 1). DM about 20 to 30% (Gihad, 1993).
 135 Pakistan Vet. J., 2009, 29(3): 133-137.

Table 2: DMI, water intake, weight gain and haematology in buffalo heifers fed on Mott grass and Berseem
fodder substituted with Saltbush
Treatments
Variables
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
DMI/day (kg) 3.03 ± 0.12b 3.23 ± 0.12a 2.65 ± 0.12d 3.08 ± 0.12b 2.76 ± 0.12c
Daily WI (lit) 6.85 ± 0.26d 6.71 ± 0.26d 11.52 ± 0.26a 11.28 ± 0.26b 9.65 ± 0.26c
c a bc b
Daily weight gain (kg) 0.22 ± 0.01 0.43 ± 0.01 0.20 ± 0.01 0.24 ± 0.01 0.30 ± 0.01b
6 -1 a b a c
RBCs (10 µl ) 5.32 ± 0.05 5.14 ± 0.05 5.28 ± 0.05 4.97 ± 0.05 5.21 ± 0.05b
3 -1 b a ab c
WBCs (10 µl ) 9.19 ± 0.75 9.63 ± 0.75 9.34 ± 0.75 8.85 ± 0.75 8.96 ± 0.75c
-dl d b c c
Haemoglobin (g ) 8.49 ± 0.05 8.87 ± 0.05 8.69 ± 0.05 8.64 ± 0.05 9.01 ± 0.05a
b e d c
PCV (%) 29.67 ± 0.75 26.93 ± 0.75 28.47 ± 0.75 28.6 ± 0.75 30.07 ± 0.75a
Values with different superscripts within a row differ significantly (P<0.05).
DMI = Dry matter intake; WI = Water intake; RBCs = Red blood cells; WBCs = White blood cells; PCV = Packed
cell volume

Water intake on live weight changes of lambs. The results of this

The highest water intake (WI) was observed on T3 study regarding lower weight gain in heifers on saltbush
(Mott+Saltbush), followed by T4 having Berseem+ substituted diets are partially in line with those reported
Saltbush, T5 containing Mott+Berseem+Saltbush, T1 by Parthasarathy et al. (1983).
(Mott alone), and T2 having Berseem alone (Table 2). Some workers reported contrary findings, which
Daily WI was higher in heifers on saltbush substituted may be due to high concentration of salt in the saltbush
diets and lower on Mott and Berseem alone. Highly diets and observed loss of live weight at high
significant (P<0.01) difference was observed in WI concentration of salt in saltbush (A. vesicaria) diets
between treatments (Table 2). (Grice and Muir, 1988). Significant (P<0.01) decrease
The results indicate higher daily intake of water in in weight gain was reported with the increase in level of
heifers fed on saltbush substituted diets compared to Atriplex in Teddy goats offered 100% Atriplex
conventional fodder alone. These findings are amnicola diets (Riaz et al., 1994). Masters et al. (2005)
supported by Garg and Nangia (1993), who reported also observed significantly decreased live weight gain
increased voluntary water intake in saltfed (200 g/d) in weaner wethers with increasing sodium in the diet
buffaloes. Riaz et al. (1994) also observed significant either as a direct effect or through an interaction with
(P<0.01) difference in WI on Atriplex amnicola alone potassium.
and in combination with the Sudex in Teddy goats.
Similar findings in sheep having high concentration of Haematology
salt in saltbush diets were reported by Grice and Muir Red blood cells (RBCs) count in heifers was higher
(1988). on T1 (Mott) and T3 (Mott+saltbush) diets.
Significantly (P<0.05) lower RBCs count was observed
Daily weight gain on T4 (Berseem+saltbush), T2 (Berseem alone) and T5
The highest (0.43 ± 0.01 kg) daily weight gain as compared to other treatments (Table 2). White blood
(DWG) was observed in heifers fed on Berseem alone cells (WBCs) counts in heifers given corresponding
(T2), followed by Mott+Berseem+Saltbush (T5), treatments were 9.19 ± 0.75, 9.63 ± 0.75, 9.34 ± 0.75,
Berseem+Saltbush (T4), Mott alone (T1) and 8.85 ± 0.75 and 8.96 ± 0.75 × 103 µl-1. Haemoglobin
Mott+Saltbush (T3). Comparatively higher DWG was contents in heifers were highest on T5, followed by T2,
observed on Berseem alone and Berseem in T3, T4 and T1 (Table 2). Packed cell volume (PCV) in
combination with saltbush and lower on Mott alone and heifers fed on T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 was 29.67 ± 0.75,
Mott+saltbush. The heifers on Mott+Berseem+saltbush 26.93 ± 0.75, 28.47 ± 0.75, 28.60 ± 0.75 and 30.07 ±
(T5) diet also performed better than T1, T3 and T4 0.75%, respectively. Significant differences in RBCs
(Table 2). (P<0.05), WBCs (P<0.05), haemoglobin (P<0.01) and
Abu-Zanat (2005) observed findings similar to PCV (P<0.01) were observed between treatments
those of the present study wherein 50% saltbush (Table 2).
substitution was made in the conventional forages. He These findings are in line with the results reported
reported significant (P<0.01) effect of forage type on by Pradhan and Sastry (1989), who found significant
growth rate of Awassi lambs. Lambs fed alfalfa hay diet differences in buffaloes in haematocrit/PCV,
showed higher growth rate compared to those given the haemoglobin betwen crops and climatic periods.
diets containing different proportions (25, 50 and 75 %) Ezequiel et al. (1989) observed significantly low
of Atriplex nummularia or Atriplex halimus mixed with erythrocyte count with 80% maize silage and blood
alfalfa hay. Treatments had significant (P<0.05) effect haematocrit was significantly higher than with 40%
 136 Pakistan Vet. J., 2009, 29(3): 133-137.

Napier hay for Holsteins. The findings of Gill et al. Brasileira de Zootecnia, 18: 375-383 (Nutr. Abstr.
(1994) were contrary to those of the present study. They Rev., 1991, 061-02722).
reported that mean values for haemoglobin, erythrocyte Garg, S. L. and O. P. Nangia, 1993. Dietary effect of
count and PCV were non significantly different among inclusion of sodium chloride on dilution rate and
five different feeding regimes of Sudex and Atriplex rumen fermentation in buffaloes. Indian J. Anim.
alone and with different proportions. Contrasting results Sci., 63: 309-317.
were also reported by Matras et al. (1992), who found Gill, A. A., M. Riaz, S. H. Hanjra, R. A. Gill and A.
that diet had no influence on haematocrit and Iqbal, 1994. Haematological picture of Teddy goats
haemoglobin in ewes. as affected by atriplex feeding. Pakistan J. Agri.
Sci., 31: 313-317.
Conclusions Gihad, E. A., 1993. Utilization of high salinity tolerant
The Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers showed comparable plants and saline water by desert animals. Proceed.
intake and gain on diets having conventional fodders first ASWAS Conference, Al-Ain, United Arab
substituted with saltbush, especially the performance of Emirates, 443-447.
heifers was comparatively better on berseem and Grice, A. C. and S. J. Muir, 1988. Biology and
saltbush combination diets (berseem+saltbush and management of saltbush and other chenopods. A
berseem+mott+saltbush). Saltbush can be incorporated review of current Australian literature on
in the conventional diets of heifers to maintain daily chenopods with emphasis on features of agriculture
intake and growth performance during feed scarcity significance. Division of Agric. Services, NSW,
periods when conventional fodders are short and their
Australia.
nutrient contents are low.
Guevara, J. C., L. I. Allegretti, J. A. Paez, O. R.
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