Authors : Rashmi G. Ghode , Jyotsna A. Patil , Nishikant A. Raut
Page Nos : 170-183
Description :
Animal wealth of India is one of the largest in the world in terms of number of cattle and other livestock. Presently, India is self-sufficient in livestock feeds however, it is predicted that, in next 5 years Indian Feed Industry may reach $30 billion from $15 billion of current value. In order to balance the supply and demand, it is required to improve the productivity. Keeping this in mind, Indian Feed Industry is required to increase their capacities to fulfil the demand. With increased demand, search for alternative sources of essential nutrients such as protein source is imperative. To supplement grazing cattle, graziers use pulses and uses of pulses are increasing day by day. The best palatability and digestibility of pulses, which are also source of high protein and energy makes them most suitable feed for all forms of livestock. Lakhodi Dal (Pulses of Lathyrus sativus L., Fam. Fabaceae) is important foodstuffs in the tropical and subtropical countries, and used widely as protein rich diet. For more than 100 million people in drought-prone areas of Asia and Africa consider lakhodi as a traditional popular crop, because of its easy cultivation, its relative resistance to drought, flood, moderate salinity and insect attack and its good yield of tasty protein-rich seeds. Objectives of this review are to highlight the nutritional value of Lathyrus sativus L. and propose it as one of the potential source of protein to incorporate in livestock feed for socioeconomic development. Keywords: Lathyrus sativus, Lakhodi, Khesri, Livestock, Animal feed
