Evaluation of various rainfed pastures for goat production in Yamuna ravines of Uttar Pradesh.

摘要

An attempt was made to improve the grazing resources of three rainfed pastures in the ravines of Uttar Pradesh, India for goat production by establishing Cenchrus ciliaris and Tephrosia purpurea in pastures. These pastures were evaluated for biomass production, chemical composition and nutrient intakes in goats. Seven Barbari adult males were introduced in each pasture. The initial body weights of goats were 17.85+or-0.69, 17.81+or-0.69, 17.85+or-0.71 kg in natural, C. ciliaris+T. purpurea pasture, respectively, and were allowed to graze for 6 h without concentrate supplementation. Total fodder yield was higher in C. ciliaris and C. ciliaris+T. purpurea pasture than natural pasture. However, total crude protein yield was higher in C. ciliaris+T. purpurea only. Maximum N uptake of 65.30 micro g/ha was observed in C. ciliaris+T. purpurea pasture. The dry matter intakes of goats were 395.6, 572.2 and 703.3 g in natural, C. ciliaris, and C. ciliaris+T. purpurea pasture, respectively. The corresponding values of dry matter intake were 46.40, 64.55 and 80.11 g/kgw0.75 in natural C. ciliaris, and C. ciliaris+T. purpurea pasture. The intake of crude protein and total digestible nutrient were also higher in goats maintained on C. ciliaris+T. purpurea.