Authors : T.P. Lanyasunya , Hongrong Wang , E.A. Mukisira , Mengzhi Wang , D.M. Kuria , Zhang Jie and W.O. Ayako
Abstract: Effect of forage type and chemical composition on vigor of rumen microbial community was investigated in vitro. Dry herbage samples used as culture media substrates were obtained from Sorghum almum, Vicia villosa and Commelina benghalensis established and harvested at 6, 10 and 14 weeks. Chemical analyses and constitution of incubation buffer solutions were done following standard procedures. Rumen liquor was obtained from 3 mature male goats (LW: 23�2 kg) fitted with rumen cannulae, housed in a well-ventilated group pen and fed a basal diet of fresh grass and supplemented with Lucerne hay. Bottles (225 mL capacity) containing 120 mL of the liquor-buffer mixture (1:2 v/v) and 1.2 g of substrate (30:70 soluble starch:dry forage samples milled to pass 1mm sieve) were incubated (39�C) under anaerobic condition and microbial culture harvested after 24 h and determined. Data was analyzed using SAS. As expected, DM and fibre content increased whereas CP and EE content decreased with advancing forage maturity. It was noted that, culture media based on herbage harvested young had higher bacteria and protozoal biomass compared to those based on older herbage. The overall mean for bacterial and protozoal biomass in Sorghum almum, Vicia villosa and Commelina benghalensis based media were 0.325, 0.3782 and 0.3712 mg mL 1 and 0.2221, 0.2344 and 0.2539 mg mL 1, respectively. Results therefore indicate that forage type and chemical composition had significant effect on the vigor of rumen microbial community.
T.P. Lanyasunya , Hongrong Wang , E.A. Mukisira , Mengzhi Wang , D.M. Kuria , Zhang Jie and W.O. Ayako , 2007. In vitro Study on the Effect of Forage Type and Chemical Nature on Vigor of Rumen Microbial Community. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 872-878.