Ankur Rastogi

Effect of incorporation of walnut cake (Juglans regia) in concentrate mixture on degradation of dry matter, organic matter and production of microbial biomass in vitro in goat

Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of incorporation of different level of walnut cake in concentrate mixture on in vitro dry matter degradation in order to determine its level of supplementation in ruminant ration. Materials and Methods: Walnut cake was used @ 0, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% level to formulate an iso-nitrogenous concentrate mixtures and designated as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 respectively. The different formulae of concentrate mixtures were used for in vitro gas production studies using goat rumen liquor with wheat straw in 40:60 ratio. Proximate composition, fiber fractionation and calcium and phosphrous content of walnut cake were estimated. Result: The per cent IVDMD value of T1 and T2 diets was 68.42 ± 1.20 and 67.25 ± 1.37 respectively which was found highest (P<0.05) T3, T4, T5 and T6. Similar trend was also found for TDOM and MBP. Inclusion of walnut cake at 10% level in the concentrate mixture does not affect in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), truly degradable organic matter (TDOM, mg/200 mg DM), total gas production, microbial biomass production (MBP) and efficiency of microbial biomass production (EMP). Conclusion: It is concluded that walnut cake incorporation up to 10% level in the iso -nitrogenous concentrate mixture has no any negative effect on in vitro digestibility of dry matter (DM), TDOM, MBP, EMP and total gas production in goat.

Performance of Broiler Chicken as Affected by Replacement of Maize with Pearl Millet and Broken Rice Mixture in the Diet

An experiment was conducted on three hundred and twenty, one day old commercial broiler chicks (Cobb strain) to study the effect of replacement of maize by graded levels of pearl millet and broken rice mixture (PBM) on their performance. The birds were randomly divided into four groups (80 birds/group). The experimental diets were: 0% maize replacement (T1), 25% maize replacement with PBM (T2), 50% maize replacement with PBM (T3), 75% maize replacement with PBM mixture (T4). The diets formulated were isocaloric and isonitrogenous as per ICAR (2013). Experiment was conducted for 42 days. The body weight gain (g) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group T3 (2049.10) in comparison to T1 (1972.00) but the values were statistically similar for T2 (2012.50) and T4 (2009.40) groups. The feed intake was similar irrespective of different dietary treatments. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher in group T1 (1.87) in comparison to T3 (1.78) and T4 (1.80). However, the metabolizability of nutrients, carcass characteristics and blood biochemical parameters were similar in all the groups except liver weight which was found to be higher (P<0.05) in group T1 in comparison to T3 and T4 with intermediate values for group T2. The feed cost per kg body weight gain in T4 (` 31.64) was significantly (P<0.05) lower than T2 (` 32.69) and T3 (` 32.64) where as for T1, it (` 32.28) was similar to groups T2, T3 and T4. It was concluded that maize may be replaced by PBM in the diet of broiler birds up to 75% without any adverse effect.

Protective and ameliorative effect of sea buckthorn leaf extract supplementation on lead induced hemato-biochemical alterations in Wistar rats.

Aim: To evaluate the protective and ameliorative effect of aqueous sea buckthorn leaf extract (SLE) on hemato-biochemical profile in lead intoxicated Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted for 60 days. 36 adult male Wistar rats with a mean body weight of 177.8±12.6 g were divided into five groups and were subjected to various daily oral treatment regimens. Group I served as a negative control receiving only feed and water, Group II (positive control for lead) received lead acetate at 250 ppm in drinking water, and Group III (positive control for SLE) received SLE at 100 mg/kg b.wt. Animals in Group IV received a combination of lead acetate at 250 ppm in drinking water for the first 45 days and SLE at 100 mg/kg b.wt. throughout the experimental period of 60-day, and in Group V for the last 15 days of the trial after the administration of lead acetate until the first 45 days of the trial to study the protective and ameliorating effects of SLE, respectively. Blood samples were collected from retro-orbital fossa of each rat on 0th, 45th, and 60th day of the experiment for hemato-biochemical analysis including hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine. Results: Significantly (p<0.01) lower levels of serum total proteins and albumin, and a significantly (p<0.01) higher serum cholesterol, urea and creatinine levels were observed in Group II (lead intoxicated group) in comparison to Group I (negative control). Administration of SLE at 100 mg/kg body wt. to lead intoxicated Wistar rats resulted in normalization of almost all the biochemical parameters studied in both the treatment Groups, i.e., IV and V (protective and ameliorative). However, the effects were more pronounced in the protective group. No effects of SLE supplementation were observed on Hb levels. PCV levels improved in protective groups, but no effect was observed in ameliorative group in comparison to lead intoxicated groups. Conclusion: SLE administration at 100 mg/kg b.wt. to lead intoxicated Wistar rats may be used to protect/ameliorate lead induced biochemical alterations in Wistar rats.

Effect of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus Nobilis Lour × Citrus Deliciosa Tenora) Fruit Waste Silage on Nutrient Intake, Digestibility and Performance of Goat Bucks

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the feeding Kinnow mandarin fruit waste (KMW) silage viś-a- viśoat silage on nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, utilization and general performance of adult male goats. Twelve local adult male goats were randomly allotted into two equal groups namely oat silage (OS) and Kinnow silage (KS) group. Animals were offered weighed quantities of respective silage (Oat silage to OS and KMW silage to KS) on ad lib. Silage intake (g/d), DM intake (DMI), digestible DMI, digestible organic matter (OMI) and digestible CP intake was comparable (P>0.05) among the two dietary groups. The per cent digestibility of all the analysed nutrients was analogous (P>0.05) in both the groups irrespective of the diet. Total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake (g/d) of goats kept on KMW silage was significantly (P 0.05) difference between dietary groups. There was no significant difference in analysed blood bio-chemicals and serum enzymes level between different periods and groups, suggesting general well-being of goats. On the basis of results of present study, it can be concluded adult male goats can be maintained on the silage of Kinnow waste without affecting nutrient intake, utilization and general performance of animals.

Assessment of in situ Feeding Regimen of Dairy Cattle of R.S. Pura Block of Jammu District, India

Study was conducted with the objective of assessing the in situ feeding regimen of dairy cattle managed by marginal livestock farmers of R S Pura block of Jammu District. Three well inhabited villages of R S Pura block were selected. In each village, 10 dairy farmers (herd size 2–5 dairy cattle) were randomly selected as respondents for survey and for feed sample collection. Results indicated that cattle farmers are primarily agriculturist of middle age with formal education up to primary level and with land holdings of marginal or small size. Dairy cattle of respondents were mainly 2–5 years in age. Almost two-third of the surveyed animals were non-pregnant multiparous animals. More than half of the surveyed animals were medium milk producers, whereas 27.78% producing more than 10 lts per day. The feeding during post kharif period was green berseem fodder and paddy straw based, supplemented with wheat bran, cotton seed cake and/or commercially available compounded feed. Feeding regimen in post-rabi season is mainly based on maize fodder with paddy straw. Wheat bran, mustard oil cake and compounded feed are the major supplements. No farmer was providing mineral mixture to the livestock; however, all of them were supplementing diet with salt. It may be concluded that except berseem, there is dearth of leguminous fodder in dairy cattle diet of surveyed region and therefore conservation of berseem as hay needs to be encouraged to ensure year round availability and mineral supplementation needs to be increased especially in diets of high milk yielders.