Influence of Various Sources of Non-Protein Nitrogenous Sources on In vitro Fermentation Patterns of Rumen Microbes

The effect of replacement of cotton seed meal (CSM), with various levels and sources of non-protein nitrogenous (NPN), substances on in vitro ruminal fermentation were studied. Cotton seed meal, in control ration provided nitrogen equivalent to 12.5 percent crude protein while in experimental ration was replaced at 30, 50 & 70 percent levels with urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and biuret, respectively. The results of incubation upto 48 hours indicated an improvement in digestibility by replacement of CSM with urea and biuret upto 50 percent protein equivalent, but not with DAP. Bacterial count from cultures containing 50% nitrogen from biuret was significantly higher than DAP, urea and CSM. Various sources of nitrogen produced $NH_3-N$ in increasing order of CSM, biuret, DAP and urea. Increasing levels of NPN resulted in progressive increase in the levels of $NH_3-N$. The levels of various NPN sources had no effect on pH. However, the pH values determined for urea and CSM were higher than biuret and DAP.