Title: Nutrient assessment of paddy weeds as ruminant feed in Java
Abstract: Paddy fields qualify as ruminant feed resources as they produce rice straw and weeds. The main objectives of the present study were to evaluate the productivity and nutrient potential of rice weeds as ruminant feed. The research was conducted in November 2011 and January 2012 in three lowland districts, Karawang, Brebes, and Gresik, and three upland districts, Cianjur, Karanganyar and Malang, on the island of Java, Indonesia. The weeds were collected in cultivated paddy fields, fallows and on paddy field bunds. Weed biomass in upland areas was largest on bunds as a result of intensive weed control in paddy fields. In the lowlands most weed biomass was on fallows. Fresh weed biomass in the first rice growing season (after dry season) yielded 891–2369 g/m². Nutrient content revealed a proportion (% in DM) of crude protein between 12.6 and 17.9%, crude fiber between 34.1 and 42.2, and crude fat 0.8 and 1.2%. Thus, rice weeds have considerable potential as ruminant feed. [N R Kumalasari, L Abdullah and E Bergmeier (2014). Nutrient assessment of paddy weeds as ruminant feed in Java. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 26(4), n.p] ${imageDescription} Comment
Keywords: biomass, fat, fallow field, fiber, Indonesia, protein, rice field