Studies on Different Levels and Sources of Sulfur Supplementation on Degradative Activity of Bovine Fungi in Rumen, Using Pearl Millet Strover as Substrate (in vitro)

An extensive in vitro study was conducted to delineate the influence of levels and source of sulfur besides rumen fungi habitat on the degradation of pearl millet stover dry matter and fibrous constituents. The results revealed that degradability of dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and cellulose from pearl millet stover was maximized (P<0.05), irrespective of habitat of anaerobic fungi, at 0.3% dietary sulfur level out of four graded levels (0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5%) besides control. Both organic (DL-Methionine) and inorganic (sodium sulfate) sources of sulfur were equally effective in promoting degradative activity of bovine fungi. Prolonged incubation of cattle or buffalo fungi from 12 to 96 hr accelerated (P<0.05) the fermentative activity of bovine fungi. Cattle excelled (P<0.05) buffalo for fungal degradative activity under both the supplemental form of sulfur.