mohinder bakshi

This study was taken up to assess the effect of supplementing Macrotyloma uniflorum (an herbal feed additive; HFA) on nutrient utilization, productive performance and meat quality of goat kids. Eight male Beetal goat kids (5 months old; body weight 14.05±0.41 kg) divided in to 2 equal groups were either fed a control total mixed ration (TMR) containing concentrate and green fodder in 50: 50 ratio on DM basis or control TMR supplemented with M. uniflorum @ 2.0% of DM intake for 90 days. Simultaneously, rumen studies were conducted on three rumen fistulated male bucks. Higher total-N, trichloroacetic acid precipitable nitrogen (TCA-N) and nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) concentration was observed in strained rumen contents (SRC) of animals fed M. uniflorum supplemented TMR as compared to control. Supplementation of TMR with M. uniflorum increased the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and fermentation efficiency while efficiency of conversion of hexose to methane decreased in M. unif...

Macrotyloma uniflorum (kulthi) seeds, Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) roots or Acacia concina (shikakai) pods were supplemented to total mixed rations (TMR) @ 0-3% (on DM basis) to assess the impact of herbal feed additives (HFAs) on the in vitro rumen fermentation pattern. The saponin content and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl- hydrate (DPHH) antioxidant activity was highest in A. racemosus than other HFAs. But total phenols, non tannin phenols, true tannins, condensed tannins, vitamin C and flavanoid contents were highest inM. uniflorum and lowest in A. concina. The dose/level of supplementation of HFAs, irrespective of their nature did not affect net gas production (NGP) and availability of metabolizable energy (ME) from TMR, but digestibility of nutrients and partitioning factor (PF) decreased in comparison to the unsupplemented group. The total and individual volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production; and acetate to propionate ratio was improved when the TMR was supplemented with ...

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of rations containing different levels of metabolizable energy (ME) and rumen undegradable protein (UDP) supplemented with vitamins on the productive performance of crossbred cows during transition phase. Twenty four crossbred dairy cows divided into 4 equal groups were offered iso-nitrogenous complete feeds containing either LME-LUDP (ME-100% of NRC and UDP-24% of CP), MME-LUDP (ME-110% of NRC and UDP-24% of CP), HME-LUDP (ME-120% of NRC and UDP-24% of CP) or HME-HUDP-V (ME-120% of NRC, UDP-40% of CP supplemented with biotin, niacin and vitamin E) from 40 days pre-partum through 100 days post partum. The blood and spot urine samples were collected on -40, -30, -20, -10, -5, -3, 0, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 days post calving. The DM consumption (irrespective of the stage of transition phase) by cows in HME-HUDP-V group was higher (P 0.05) were higher in HME-HUDP-V group as compared to other groups. The blood profile wa...

The study was taken up to assess the nutritional worth of swine waste (faeces) in the ration of buffaloes. The sundried swine excreta was observed to be a good source of nutrients viz. CP (17.88%), Ca (1.97%) and P (1.08%). The digestion kinetic parameters for DM of sundried swine waste assessed by in sacco technique revealed that sundried swine waste had 51.39% total degradable fractions, 45.06% effective and 63.71% true degradability. Keeping in view the promising preliminary in-sacco evaluation, the sundried swine waste was evaluated in the ration of buffaloes. Eight, 4–5 yr old male Murrah buffaloes of 450.8±4.8 kg body weight were randomly distributed into 2 equal groups. Animals in both the groups were fed iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric ration containing 2 kg either conventional concentrate mixture or concentrate mixture containing 30% swine waste supplemented with ad-lib naturally fermented wheat straw with urea for 9 days and 2 kg available green fodder. The daily DM intake...

The present study was taken up to assess the effect of N scheduling on the fodder and grain yield and on the nutritional worth of green fodder obtained from grain (RD–2552) and dual purpose (RD-2035) barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties. The crop of both the cultivars was harvested 55 days after sowing (DAS) and was used as fodder. Nitrogen fertilizer (urea) was applied @ 87q/ha, either 50% at the time of sowing and 50% after 55 DAS (T1); 50% at the time of sowing, 25% after 55 DAS and 25% after next irrigation i.e. 80 DAS (T2); 33% at the time of sowing, 33% after 55 DAS and 33% after 80 DAS (T3); 33% at the time of sowing and 67% after 55 DAS (T4) or 67% at the time of sowing and 33% after 55 DAS (T5). Both the varieties of barley were cultivated in 1.15 m × 7.0 m plots in triplicate at the Ludhiana campus of Punjab Agricultural University for 2 consecutive years. The data were analyzed statistically by using 2 × 5 factorial design. The dual purpose variety, irrespective of N-sch...

This study was taken up to assess the nutritional worth of cannery and fruit wastes for ruminants. Amongst the cannery wastes, pea pods (PP) had the highest CP content, sarsonsaag waste (SSW) had that of cell wall constituents(CWC). Carrot pulp (CARP) had the lowest CP, NDF, ADF and ADL contents. The water soluble sugars (WSS) were highest in CARP, while the true protein content and total phenolics were highest in citrus pulp without peels (CPWP).The in-saccoDM degradability revealed that CPWP had the highest effective degradability (ED) and low rumen fill values, which was responsible for higher DM intake potential and nutritive index value as compared to other cannery wastes. Amongst the fruit wastes, muskmelon peels (MMP) had the highest CP and CWC. The WSS were highest in MMP, the true protein in watermelon peels (WMP) and phenolics in banana peels (BP). WMP had the highest ED and the lowest rumen fill value, which was responsible for higher DM intake potential and nutritive ind...

The main aim of this study was to assess the methane production potential and nutritional worth of fruit and vegetable wastes (FVWs) as livestock feed by in-vitro/in-sacco techniques. The selected FVWs [cabbage leaves (CabLs), cauliflower leaves (CauLs), empty pea pods (PPs), sarson saag waste (SSW) and fruit juice waste without peels (FJW)] were rich in protein varying from 14.6% (SSW) to 20% (CabLs); and EE varying between 2.2% (CauLs) to 3.2% (PPs). The SSW had the highest and CauLs had the lowest amount of cell wall components. The net gas production (NGP) was the highest (P<0.01) from FJW followed by pea pods and lowest in CauL. The methane production expressed either as percent in NGP, as ml/100mg DM or as ml/100mg digestible OM at t½ was the highest (P<0.01) in pea pods and lowest in CauLs and CabLs. The digestibility of NDF and true OM in CabLs was comparable with that of FJW, CauLs and peapods, but significantly higher than SSW. The availability of ME was highest from FJW (11.7 MJ/kg DM) followed by that from PPs and lowest was observed in CauLs (7.73 MJ/kg DM). Amongst the FVW evaluated, the total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) and individual VFA production were observed to be significantly higher from FJW, followed by SSW and CauLs and lowest was from that of pea pods. The acetate: propionate ratio varied significantly from 3.3 (CabLs, SSW and FJW) to 4.05 (CauLs). The digestion kinetics parameters of DM, CP and NDF revealed that the degradation rate (except that of NDF), effective degradability, true digestibility, potential and apparent extent of digestion were observed to be significantly higher in FJW and SSW; and lowest values of these parameters were observed in CabLs. Reverse but significant trend was observed with respect to rumen fill values, which is inversely proportional to potential voluntary DM intake. The results conclusively revealed that amongst the tested FVWs, sarson saag waste and fruit juice waste followed by cauliflower leaves and pea pods have great potential as livestock feed and can serve as alternate feed resources for livestock and can supplement or replace the costly feedstuffs.

Appropriate feeding during the pregnancy and post-pregnancy period determines both the milk production in the ensuing lactation as well as the reproductive efficiency of the animal. During this period, 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after parturition are very important because dramatic physiological and metabolic adaptations take place during this phase - called as the transition phase. Nutritional imbalances, caused by the low quality of desired nutritious rations, reduced appetite and low ingestion are responsible for depressed performance specifically during the transition period. The lack of knowledge and skill of farmers in feeding-management during this phase exacerbate the situation. The metabolic changes, metabolic adaptations and the nutritional-management strategies to ease out this phase are discussed in this review paper. With the advancement of gestation, the dry matter intake (DMI) of dairy cows declines and is at its lowest (1.7-2.0% of body weight) at parturition. The bo...

The nutritional worth of vegetable wastes like cauliflower leaves, cabbage leaves, pea pods and pea vines was assessed in comparison to conventional green oats fodder in bucks. Each of the vegetable waste, supplemented with minerals and common salt, was fed ad lib as complete feed, to 3 bucks (Beetle×Anglo Nubian×French Alpine; 6 years old of 62.6±1.1kg BW). The leaves of

This study was taken up to assess the impact of supplementing herbal feed additives [HFAs; fruit of Myristica fragrans (Jayphall), seeds of Anethum sowa (Suva), fruit of Apium graveolens (Ajmo), fruit of Cuminum cyminum (Jeera), bark of Cinnamonum zeylanicum (Dalchini), or whole plant of Eclipta alba (Bhangro)] containing essential oils as active component on the nutrient utilization and methane production using wheat straw–based total mixed ration (TMR) as a substrate by in vitro gas production technique. The essential oil content was the highest (P < 0.01) in M. fragrans followed by E. alba and A. sowa. In addition to essential oils, these HFAs also contained saponins, tannins, and antioxidants. The HFAs were supplemented at 1–3% of substrate dry matter (DM). The data were analyzed by 6 × 4 factorial design. Irrespective of level of HFA, the net gas production (NGP) and metabolizable energy (ME) availability was the highest (P < 0.01) in TMR supplemented with C. zeylanicum comparable with E. alba, but higher than TMR supplemented with other HFAs. Supplementation of TMR with different HFAs did not affect the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and true organic matter (TOM) and partitioning factor (PF). The total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), acetate, propionate (P < 0.01), and butyrate (P < 0.05) production was the highest in TMR supplemented with A. sowa, and the lowest was observed in TMR supplemented with C. cyminum. The isobutyrate and valerate production was also the highest (P < 0.01) in diet supplemented with A. sowa, but isovalerate production was the highest (P < 0.01) in diet supplemented with C. zeylanicum. The A:P ratio was the best in TMR supplemented with A. sowa. The efficiency of rumen fermentation was the highest, and efficiency of conversion of hexose to methane was the lowest in diet supplemented with A. sowa as compared to all other supplements. The in vitro methane production expressed as either percent of NGP, ml/100 mg DM of substrate/24 h, or as ml/100 mg of digestible OM/24 h was the lowest in TMR supplemented with A. sowa. The ammonia nitrogen production from TMR supplemented with M. fragrans and A. sowa was comparable, but significantly (P < 0.01) lower than TMR supplemented with other HFAs. Irrespective of the nature of HFA, the NGP and ME availability were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in TMR supplemented with HFAs at all levels as compared to un-supplemented TMR. As compared to control, the digestibility of NDF and that of TOM was depressed slightly in all the HFA-supplemented TMRs. The supplementation of HFAs at 2% of substrate DM improved (P < 0.01) the production of total VFAs, acetate, and propionate, and that of isovalerate in comparison to the un-supplemented TMR. The acetate to propionate ratio increased (P < 0.01) with the increase in the level of supplementation of HFAs containing essential oils. The methane and ammonia productions were depressed significantly when TMR was supplemented at 2% level of HFAs as compared to control TMR. It was concluded that supplementation of TMR with A. sowa at 2% of substrate was fermented better as indicated by the production of total and individual VFA, methane, and ammonia as compared to TMR supplemented with other HFA or un-supplemented TMR.

Hundal, J.S., Wadhwa, M. and Bakshi, M.P.S. 2016. Methane mitigation potential of tannins and their impact on digestibility of nutrients in-vitro. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 16: 505-513. The study was taken up to assess the effect of the pure tannins viz. catechin hydrate, gallic acid, tannin acid and ellagic acid supplemented individually at 1 to 5% levels of the substrate DM (wheat straw) on the in vitro methane production and fiber degradation in a 4x7 factorial design. Irrespective of the type of tannin, the net gas production (NGP) in positive control and tannin supplemented groups (1-5% level) was higher (P<0.01) than normal control. The NGP and partitioning factor (PF) of positive control and tannin supplemented groups up to 4% level were similar, but depressed (P<0.01) at 5% level. The digestibility of NDF and true OM was depressed (P<0.01) at all the levels of tannin supplementation. However, ME availability was not affected by tannin supplementation. The effect of tannins, irrespective of its level revealed that the NGP was depressed (P<0.01), while digestibility of nutrients and ME availability were depressed numerically (P>0.05) in the ellagic acid supplemented group, as compared to other tannins supplemented groups. Irrespective of type of tannins, the TVFAs, acetate and A:P ratio were higher (P<0.01) in positive control than normal control. The TVFAs, acetate and propionate production in tannin supplemented groups was lowest (P<0.01) at 1% level as compared to positive control. Irrespective of the level of tannins, the TVFAs, acetate and propionate production was higher (P<0.01), while A:P ratio was lowest (P<0.01) from catechin hydrate as compared to other tannin supplemented groups. Beyond 2% there was significant depression (P<0.01) in methane production as compared to positive control. Between 3 and 4% levels, there was no difference, but again at 5% there was depression (P<0.01) in methane production. Irrespective of level of tannins, methane production was lowest (P<0.01) in the ellagic acid supplemented group, while the highest (P<0.01) was observed in catechin hydrate supplemented group. It was concluded that ellagic acid supplemented at 3% of substrate mitigated the methane production, depressed the digestibility and VFA production, but without affecting ME availability.

The experiment was conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2007-09. The experiment was comprised of two varieties (i.e. RD 2552 and RD 2035) which were kept in the main plots and five nitrogen scheduling of T1. 1/2N at basal + 1/2N immediate after cut (1/2N+1/2N) , T2. 1/2N at basal + 1/4N after cut + 1/4N after next irrigation (1/2N+1/4N+1/4N), T3. 1/3N at basal + 1/3N after cut + 1/3N after next irrigation (1/3N+1/3N+1/3N), T4. 1/3N at basal + 2/3N immediate after cut (1/3N+2/3N) and T5. 2/3N at basal + 1/3N immediate after cut (2/3N+1/3N) was kept in the sub-plots treatments of split plot design were replicated thrice. Total nitrogen used was 80 kg N/ha. The variety RD 2035 gave numerically higher fodder yield than RD 2552 while reverse is significantly true for grain yield and crude protein. In 2/3N + 1/3N scheduling, the highest fodder yield was recorded was significantly higher than 1/3N + 1/3N+1/3N and 1/3N + 2/3N scheduling but statistically on par w...

The objective was to look for the promising tree leaves, for feeding to livestock. The preliminary screening of tree leaves (nine species) by in vitro gas production technique revealed that leaves of Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach, Morus alba and Leucaena leucocephala could serve as promising, alternate feed resource for ruminants. Therefore, in vivo evaluation of these tree leaves (except A.