Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Jasmine Kaur and SS Thakur

Abstract:
Phalaris minor is an annual fast spreading weed in the entire north-western belt of India, where rice-wheat cropping system is being followed, viz. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh. The present study was carried out to see the effect of incorporation of P. minor seeds in the diet of crossbred cows on economics of feeding. Experimental cows (n=18) were equally divided into three groups of six animals each viz., C, T1 and T2 on the basis of milk production (12.56±0.73 kg/d). Maize grains were replaced by P. minor seeds in the concentrate mixture at 0, 50 and 75% (DM basis) level in groups C, T1 and T2, respectively. Cows were fed as per NRC (2001) feeding standard. Duration of study was 120 days. It was concluded that feeding of P. minor seeds to lactating cows was cost effective and feeding of animals can be economized by incorporating P. minor seeds in the diet as partial replacement of maize grains.