Proximate evaluation of Durva grass (Cynodon dactylon) and Dhal grass (Paspalum dilatatum) in different upazila of Chattogram District

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to compare the nutritive value of two local grasses in different Upazilas of Chattogram district in Bangladesh. It is essential to improve the animal nutrition of these area and to gain knowledge that how these grasses can fulfill the requirements of animals. Chemical analyses of the samples were carried out for moisture, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extracts (EE), total ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE) at the Nutrition laboratory in the department of animal sciences and nutrition, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Data was calculated for all samples by using standard formula. The nutritive value of Durva grass of Raozon and lohagara upazila was analyzed and found CP 11.13% and 9.63%, CF 26.6% and 22.6%, and NFE 53.8% and 54.96%, respectively. The nutritive value of Dhal grass of Boalkhali and Mirsharai was also analyzed and found significant amount of CP 8.4% and 10.3%, CF 31.63% and 36%, and Ash 15.12% and 10.6% respectively. Durvagrass of Raozon upazila showed the higher CP and CF content than that of Lohagara upazila and also Dhal grass of Boalkhali upazila showed higher Ash and NFE content than that of Mirsharai upazilla. All the proximate contents showed significant (P<0.05) variations in the same grass of different upazila in Chattogram district. Based on the results it can be concluded that native grasses in chattogram showed good contents of nutrients which are suitable for livestock production.