NUTRITIVE VALUE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF LIMPOGRASS (BAKSHA GRASS)

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to observe the chemical composition and digestibility of Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) available in low land area in Bangladesh. Chemical analyses of the samples were carried out in triplicate for moisture, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extracts (EE) and total ash in the animal nutrition laboratory, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Data was calculated for all samples by using standard formula. The nutritive value of Limpograss was analyzed and found as DM (30.00%), moisture (70.00%), CP (8.75%), CF (31.75%), EE (2.04%) and Ash (11.30%). The nutritive value of Limpograss after digestion was also analyzed and found as DM (14.25%), moisture (85.75%), CP (4.67%), CF (20.85%), EE (0.61%) and Ash (8.58%). The results showed that digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract and Ash in Limpograss were 52.50, 46.63, 34.33, 69.90 and 23.84 per cent, respectively. Results indicated that, the digestibility of Limpograss was higher than any other available grasses in Bangladesh, except the crude protein content. However, Limpograss nutritionally was in standard condition, hence, it could be used as a promising feed resource for ruminant.