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Effect of protein level and urea in concentrate mixture on feed intake and rumen fermentation in swamp buffaloes fed rice straw-based diet

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Abstract

Four rumen-fistulated Thai native swamp buffaloes were randomly assigned according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to assess the effect of protein (CP) level and urea (U) source in concentrate diet on feed utilization and rumen ecology. The treatments were as follows: concentrate containing CP at 120 g/kg (soybean meal, SBM) (T1), 160 g/kg (SBM) (T2), 120 g/kg (U) (T3), and 160 g/kg (U) (T4), respectively. All buffaloes were fed concentrate at 10 g/kg of body weight, and rice straw was offered ad libitum. Feed intake and digestibilities of CP, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber increased (P < 0.05) in treatments with higher level of CP especially with U source (P < 0.05). In contrast, CP level and source in concentrate did not affect on ruminal pH and temperature (P > 0.05), while concentration of ruminal ammonia (N), blood urea (U), volatile fatty acids profile, microorganism populations, and variable bacterial growth increased in buffaloes consumed concentrate containing CP at 160 g/kg (T2 and T4; P < 0.05). Fecal and urinary N excretions decreased in buffaloes consumed concentrate containing higher CP level especially with U source while purine derivatives increased which resulted in a higher N balance as compared to lower CP level and SBM source treatments (P < 0.05). In summary, higher CP level in concentrate improved feed intake, nutrient digestibility, purine derivatives, and rumen ecology, and U had shown better result than SBM. Concentrate mixtures containing 16 g/kg CP with U 40 g/kg could improved nutrients utilization with no adverse effects for swamp buffaloes fed on rice straw.

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Acknowledgments

The most sincere thanks are to the Tropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center (TROFREC) and Khon Kaen University (KKU) for their kindly support on research fund and facility.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Unit, Department of Education, National Institute of Education, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Sungchhang Kang

  2. Tropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center (TROFREC), Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Metha Wanapat, Kampanat Phesatcha & Thitima Norrapoke

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  1. Sungchhang Kang
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  2. Metha Wanapat
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  3. Kampanat Phesatcha
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  4. Thitima Norrapoke
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Correspondence to Metha Wanapat.

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Kang, S., Wanapat, M., Phesatcha, K. et al. Effect of protein level and urea in concentrate mixture on feed intake and rumen fermentation in swamp buffaloes fed rice straw-based diet. Trop Anim Health Prod 47, 671–679 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0777-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0777-8

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