Effect of Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Supplementation on Ruminal Digestion of Bajra (Pennisetum glaucum) Straw and Bajra Straw-based Complete Feed In Vitro

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae) supplemented to bajra straw at dose level of 0, 106, 107, 108 and 109 colony forming units (cfu) per gram dry matter on digestibility of DM, OM and NDF as well as total gas production (TGP) using goat rumen liquor. There was significant (P<0.01) improvement in nutrient digestibility of DM, OM and NDF in bajra straw and TGP production showing maximum values at supplementation of yeast at the dose rate of 108 cfu/g of DM. Second in vitro trial was performed to evaluate the effects of optimum level of yeast (108 cfu/g) on rumen fermentation characteristics in complete feed containing bajra straw 60 parts and concentrate mixture 40 parts. A significant (P<0.01) improvement in digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, TGP was observed on supplementation of yeast. Addition of yeast did not change pH of rumen liquor, however, there was increase in total nitrogen (P<0.05) and TVFA (P<0.01) and decrease in ammonia nitrogen (P<0.05) in in vitro rumen fluid compared to control.