Effect of Various Plant Protein Sources in High-quality Feed Block on Dry Matter Intake, Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation in Swamp Buffalo

This study was designed to determine the effect of various plant protein sources in High-Quality Feed Block (HQFB) on feed intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation characteristic in swamp buffalo. Four, rumen fistulated swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were randomly assigned according to a 4x4 Latin square design. Four kinds of plant protein sources [Coarse Rice Bran (CRB), Cassava Hay (CH), Phaseolus Calcaratus Hay (PCH) and Mulberry Hay (MH)] were mixed in the HQFB. HQFBs were allowed to be licked at free choice in a wooden box and Urea-Lime Treated Rice Straw (ULRS) were fed ad libitum. It was found that HQFB intakes were similar among treatments while ULRS intake in CH fed group was higher than those in other groups (p<0.05). Moreover, nutrient digestibility in terms of CP, NDF and ADF in CH fed group were significantly higher than those in other groups (p<0.05). Ruminal temperature, NH3-N concentration, pH, BUN, acetate (C2), propionate (C3) but yrate (C4) and C2:C3 ratio were similar among treatments (p>0.05) while total VFA were highest in CH fed group (p<0.05). In addition, N absorption was highest in CH fed group (p<0.05). Based on this study it could be concluded that cassava hay, Phaseolus calcaratus hay and mulberry hay are potential to be used as protein sources in the HQFBs especially cassava hay which resulted in improved rumen fermentation efficiency and digestibility.