Effect of inclusion of mesquite ( Prosopis juliflora) pods and urea supplementation in concentrate of sheep on nitrogen degradability

Abstract

In situ nitrogen degradability (ND) of 10 combinations of concentrate mixtures having 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent levels of processed mesquite pods, supplemented with 0, 1 and 2 per cent levels of urea were determined in three adult fistulated rams, using polyester bag technique. The samples were incubated in the ventral sac of rumen of each animal in duplicate for 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours to know the effect of inclusion of mesquite pods as well as urea supplementation on nitrogen degradability of concentrate mixtures in rumen. The results obtained indicated a rapid disappearance up to 24 hours of incubation followed by comparatively slow degradation thereafter. A corresponding increase in nitrogen degradability with increase in level of mesquite pods in concentrate mixtures has also been observed. Supplementation of urea at I and 2 per cent levels showed a further increase in already high nitrogen degraclability of concentrate ration in early hours of incubation.