The Comparison of in vitro Digestibility of Wheat Straw by Rumen Anaerobic Fungi of Khuzestan Buffalo and Holstein Cattle

This study was conducted to compare digestibility of wheat straw (WS) by fungi and whole rumen micro-organisms (WRM). Dry matter (DM), neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF and ADF) digestibility of WS were compared with in vitro digestion (IVD), gas production (GP) and specific rumen anaerobic fungi cul-ture (SRAFC). Dry matter, NDF and ADF digestibility of WS by WRM of buffalo (60.80, 49.93 and 17.45%, respectively) were more than cattle (53.00, 38.63 and 10.62%, respectively) (P < 0.05). Regardless the type of microorganisms, digestibility of DM (P > 0.05), NDF and ADF by buffalo (51.03, 44.41 and 12.09%) was more than cattle (48.04, 36.34 and 8.76) (P < 0.05). Potential of GP (B) by fungi and WRM in cattle was more than buffalo (P < 0.05). Rate of GP (C) for WRM and fungi of cattle was less than buffalo (P < 0.05). Regardless the type of microorganisms, C in buffalo was more than cattle (P < 0.05) and was vice versa for B (P < 0.05). Regardless the type of animal species, WRM had higher digestibility and B than fungi (P > 0.05), but rate of GP of them was same. In SRAFC, DM digestibility of WS by fungi of buffalo at days 3 and 12 was more than cattle (P < 0.05). The number of fungi in cattle rumen was more than buffalo (P < 0.05). The potential of fungi and WRM of buffalo were more than cattle. Therefore, the results were shown the advantage and supremacy of buffalo in usage the low quality roughages.