International Journal of

Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

International Journal of
Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

Vol. 1(2) May 2013

FACTORS AFFECTING MORTALITY IN BUFFALOES AND CALVES

Hammad A Hashmi, Tunio Muhammad Tarique, Shuming Yang, Mohsina Zubair, Jing Qiu, Gang Chen and Ailiang Chen

Page No: 1-6

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of dams on calf mortality, the number of stillbirths and abortions, the effect of environment difference on the calf mortality, the relation of age and parity number to calf mortality. Certain managemental and aetio-pathological factors contributing mortality were also studied from data of two dairy farms one located in Okara (Punjab Province, Pakistan) and other in Malir Karachi (Sind Province Pakistan) from March 2003 to February 2010. The unadjusted means and Standard Deviation (SD) of stillbirth was 7.59 ± 13.49% and calf abortion was 2.64 ± 3.59%. Mean value of abortion reveals that herd (farm) and sex were the most significant (P < 0.01) sources of variation in still birth in buffalo calves. However, herd (farms) year of birth did not affect abortion rate. The variation noted was attributed to the management practices. The feeding regime and the age of the dam seem to have contribution in this regard.

MANIPULATION OF PLANT GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND THE COMPOSITION OF ESSENTIAL OILS IN OCIMUM SANCTUM L. (HOLY BASIL) USING EXOGENOUS REGULATORS OF PLANT GROWTH

Bright Chima Megbo

Page No: 7-16

The influence of exogenous regulators of plant growth and development on biomass yield, composition and amount of essential oils in holy basil, Ocimum sanctum L., was investigated. Four exogenously applied plant growth regulators namely Melatran, Humiforte N6, Aminoforte, and Kadostim were used in this 3-year research by spraying them on the leaves of plants grown on a permanent experimental site. Results of the 3-year research confirm that all the exogenous regulators of plant growth used in this research supported plant growth and development. Further, all of these growth regulators especially the combinations of the growth regulators in treatments AH and AHK increased plant biomass fresh yield. In general, the growth regulators also triggered the early emergence of the flowering phase except for treatment 4 (AHK) which contained kadostim. The plants treated with the regulators, i.e., plants in treatments Mel, AH, and AHK, gave lower average number of branches in comparison to the control. The treatment Mel had plants with the least average number of branches, confirming that melatran has an inhibitory effect on branching. All of the exogenous regulators particularly the combination used in treatment 3 (AH) supported increase in yield of essential oils in the leaf and seed of Ocimum sanctum L.

KNOWLEDGE AND ADOPTION CORRELATES OF ONION PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IN DHULE DISTRICT

B A Deshmukh and Swati D Shinde

Page No: 17-23

While analyzing the knowledge and adoption of MPKV’s recommended pre- and post-harvest technology it was noticed that nearly cent per cent respondents had knowledge about soil type, selection of seed, varieties. While 57.25% respondents had knowledge about plant protection. About 96.22% onion growers had knowledge about harvesting of onion, while 50% had knowledge about neck dropping. It was also observed that majority of farmers know about post-harvest technology of onion. Regarding adoption of pre- and post-harvest onion technology it was observed that the majority 84.28% adopted technology regarding soil type, while only 26.42% adopted technology of chemical fertilizer application to nursery bed’s. Very meager 9.43% of them adopted practice of irrigating the field after transplanting. About post-harvest technology majority of respondents adopted technology regarding grading of onion, cutting leaves with twisting neck. 93.08% of them reported constraints regarding non-availability of MPKV recommended onion seed at local market, unremunerative market rate 86.79%, high transport charges 57.25%.

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED POTATO CULTIVATION PRACTICES

Mandeep Sharma and Kiranjot Sidhu

Page No: 24-34

Cultivation of vegetables and fruits is a viable commercial proposition. Vegetables provide a good source of income to the growers and play an important part in human nutrition. Potato is one of the major vegetable crops of the world. It is an important crop and it can supplement the food needs of the country in a substantial way as it produces more dry-matter food. Potato production in India has made tremendous progress only with the development of new technologies in different fields of agriculture. Due to the complexity in different technologies sometimes farmers find it difficult to understand and remember all the operations, as a result of which they lag behind in the adoption of recommended package of practices. In this context the need was felt to study the extent of adoption of potato cultivation practices. An interview schedule was prepared to collect the data from 160 vegetable growers from the state of Punjab. Recommended seed varieties of potato were adopted by 65.50% of respondents whereas recommended dose of fertilizers were used by 45.00% of respondents. About half of the respondents used recommended insecticides/pesticides, fungicides and storage practices. The data further revealed that majority of the respondents had low extent of adoption of recommended cultivation practices of potato crop. The data generated through this study can form the basis for planning integrated extension strategies to create more knowledge and awareness among the vegetable growers about the recommended cultivation practices of potato crop.

FEEDING OF CROP RESIDUE BASED COMPLETE RATIONS ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS IN RAM LAMBS

Venkateswarlu Malisetty

Page No: 35-39

An on- farm trial was conducted by feeding intensively with locally available cereal crop residue based complete rations (mash form) and compared them with conventional sole grazing system to assess the meat parameters in native ram lambs. Two rations, viz., sorghum (R-I) and maize (R-II) straw-based complete rations (50% roughage, 50% concentrate) were prepared mash form and fed to ram lambs intensively and results compared with conventional grazing (R-III) ram lambs. Results indicated that, the carcass weight, breast and shank, neck and shoulder, leg, loin, rack and deboned meat proportions in ram lambs fed sorghum and maize strawbased complete rations were comparable (P > 0.05) and also no difference in meat characteristics was observed in the solely grazed animals. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that, feeding of crop residue based complete rations could not affect the quality of meat over grazing ram lambs.

OOCYTE RETRIEVAL METHODS, GRADE AND PERCENTAGE OF OOCYTES IN GOATS

L Ram Singh, K Sadasiva Rao and K Murali Mohan

Page No: 40-44

The present study was undertaken to assess the relative efficiency of three different collection techniques of percentage and grades of oocytes in goats of Hyderabad. The mean oocyte recovery from aspiration technique, 2.15 ± 0.31 and 2.9 ± 0.46 in dissection technique and 6.55 ± 0.57 and 4.51 ± 0.46 in slicing technique. The mean oocyte recovery rate was 1.5 ± 0.22 and 1.0 ± 0.33 under aspiration technique, 2.58 ± 0.47 and 2.43 ± 0.36 under dissection technique and 5.26 ± 0.46 and 6.3 ± 0.71. The mean numbers of oocytes of different grades recovered were 0.34 ± 0.03, 0.62 ± 0.07 and 1.37 ± 0.09 in aspiration, dissection and slicing techniques, respectively. Among the different grades of oocytes, significantly higher percent of ‘A’ (27.78) and ‘B’ (38.89) grade oocytes were retrieved by aspiration and dissection technique when compared to slicing technique. With respect to ‘C’ and ‘D’ grade oocytes, significantly higher numbers of oocytes were retrieved by slicing technique than the aspiration and dissection techniques. Out of 437 oocytes retrieved in the present study, significantly higher percent (50.57) yield was by slicing technique, followed by dissection technique (37.07) and aspiration (12.53).

A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF CULTURABLE BACTERIA IN A LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT

L Gunaseelan, T Giri, Pawar Ganesh Ramesh and Bhanu Rekha

Page No: 45-48

A simple microbiological method was employed in this study to assess firsthand the contamination of the most common accessible laboratory surface. Of the 48 different samples swabs from various locations of different laboratories, growth on the different plates was observed in only 33 of them (68.7%). The bacteria cultured predominantly was Pseudomonas spp. (100%-12/ 12) followed by Staphyloccoccus spp. in 75% of the isolations, 66.6% E. coli and least isolations attributed to Salmonella (33.3%). The trial was conducted in a naturalistic setting as this approach could help to identify the actual presence of contamination in a normal working environment on a normal working day. The high percentage of isolates in a laboratory setting in this study indicates a high potential risk of cross contamination and door handles are object of frequent contact. The value of routine cleaning combined with the need for regular education of staff and students on the importance of good hygiene are stressed for effective prevention of cross contamination potentials from laboratory surfaces.

NEEDED RESOURCE ADJUSTMENT FOR BOOSTING PROFITABILITY OF CASSAVA BASED CROPPING SYSTEM IN IBADAN METROPOLIS, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

O O Olayiwola and P K Awasthi

Page No: 49-56

The present study was conducted to analyze adoption pattern of new technologies and their impact on cassava yield, reduction in cost of production and resource-use efficiency. The specific objectives of the study were: (1) to examine the economics of cassava cultivation in relation to its competing crops, (2) to measure the extent of adoption of new cassava technology, its impact on yield, cost, resource use efficiency and identify the constraints to adoption of new technology, and (3) to make policy recommendations based on the findings of the study. A multistage random sampling was employed to draw a representative sample. Cost and return of cassava and its competing crops revealed that on overall farm total cost per hectare incurred in cassava production was to the extent of #87800 which varied between #79220 in large farm to #96560 in small farm. Break-even analysis indicated that actual market price of cassava was 49% more than its break-even price. Resource use efficiency of included variables in cassava production revealed that value of coefficient of multiple determinations (R) was estimated to be 0.87 on sample farm which varied between 0.92 to 0.96 on different farms. Some suggestions for higher and equitable production of cassava are that frequency of extension visits should be increased to encourage wider spread and adoption of farm technology.

INPUT AND OUTPUT PRICES OF CEREAL CROPS IN WESTERN MAHARASHTRA

J S Kumbhar and B J Deshmukh

Page No: 57-68

Agriculture is the most important sector of Indian economy. Agriculture sector employs more than 58% of population and contribute 14.3% of GDP in economy during the 2010-11. The producers have always been alleging that increase in the prices of their produce were not in proportion to increase in the input prices. A sound price policy is one that ensures remunerative prices to the producers and also reasonable prices to the consumers and which reduces the regional imbalances in agricultural income by maintaining parity between costs, prices and income of different agricultural commodities. The objectives of the study were to examine the changes in input-output prices of selected crops and to evaluate the parity between the costs, prices and income from these crops. The present investigation was based on the secondary data of the state cost of cultivation scheme, Got. of Maharashtra. The data pertains to the 18 years, i.e., from 1991-91 to 2008-09 were considered for the said study. The results indicated that the indices at current and constant prices of major input for selected crops shown tremendous increase during the period under consideration. The parity indices of gross income to per quintal cost of production of jowar and wheat affected the profitability adversely. Compound Growth Rates (CGR) of input prices were more than double to the prices of output at MSP and FHP, except at MSP for wheat. The price-cost ratio of cereals were less than unity, indicating that output prices were not covering the costs. Thus the increase in MSP, FHP and thereby income of the crop is not sufficient to cover the cost of cultivation of all cereals.

STUDIES ON INCIDENCES AND CAUSES OF BUFFALO CALF MORTALITY IN MALWA REGION OF MADHYA PRADESH

M Shrivastava, S Nanavati, D S Yadav and A K Mishra

Page No: 69-72

The Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh comprises of two main divisions namely; Indore and Ujjain which cover densely buffalo populated area, Mhow Tehsil is one of them. The data on mortality of buffalo calves was collected by random survey methods from 100 farmers of 13 villages of Mhow Tehsil of MP. The data was classified according to Land and animal holding, educational level, duration of colostrum feeding after birth, age and sex of calf, parity of dam and causes of mortality. The highest mortality in buffalo calves was recorded due to Gastroenteritis (34.68%), followed by worm infestation (24.06%). On the basis of the various causes of mortality observed in the survey work, a package of practice was developed and applied to minimize the calf mortality in buffaloes. It was observed that in the treatment group (10 buffalo calves), where the package of practices was applied, no death was observed during entire period of experiment, where as in control group, out of 10 buffalo calves, 3 calves (two due to enteritis and one due to worm infestation) were died.

SEASONAL CHANGES IN BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE COMMON COCKLE (CERASTODERMA EDULE), FROM THE MARMARA SEA, TURKEY

MeryemYeşim ÇELİK, Saniye TÜRK ÇULHA, Mehmet ÇULHA, MehmetBedrettin DUMAN and Mehmet Anıl KESKİNBALTA

Page No: 73-78

The experiment was carried in Çanakkale at the Marmara sea region from March 2011 to February 2012. Cerostoderma edule were seasonally collected. On each sampling date, temperature and salinity were determined. Biochemical composition of cockles (protein, lipid, carbohydrate, moisture and ash) was investigated. In the study, temperature is varied from 9.7 °C (winter) to 21.5 °C (summer) and salinity varied form 22.1 psu (summer and autumn) to 23.00 psu (spring). Seasonal values of lipid, protein, carbohydrate, ash and moisture of cockles ranged from 2.32 to 3.81%, from 47.93 to 69.31%, from 5.1 to 19.74%, from 17.44 to 35.98% and from 86.44 to 87.32% respectively. Consequently, this the first known investigation which showed that C. edule is alternative species for production at the region but seasonal sampling is unsatisfied for understanding reproductive activity; therefore monthly sampling would be advisable.

ESTIMATION OF PHENOL CONTENTS IN WITHANIA SOMNIFERA AND ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS PLANTS OF THANJAVUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

V Ranganathan and N Punniamurthy

Page No: 79-82

Two medicinal plants, viz., Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus have been shown to have antioxidant and aphrodisiac effects in common and their effects have been shown to be attributed to their phytochemical constituent, namely, phenols. However, the plants, used for the study of identification and estimation of phenol contents so far have been resourced from places other than Thanjavur district and very few works have been carried out on these aspects from Southern part of India. Hence, the present study has been undertaken to estimate the total phenolic contents of the selected medicinal plants by using Spectrophotometer. The results showed the presence of phenolic contents in all the three plants tested. The level of total phenolic contents was increased in Asparagus racemosus as compared to Withania somnifera.

COMBINING ABILITY ANALYSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD AND ITS ATTRIBUTING TRAITS IN BARLEY

Kshitiz Kumar Pawar and A K Singh

Page No: 83-87

Combining ability analysis for grain yield and its attributing traits were conducted from 8 × 8 diallel cross in barley. GCA and SCA variance were found highly significant for all the traits. Four parents JB1, PL751, JB58 and RD2787 were found to be good combiners for most of the characters and can be used in the future breeding program. Cross combinations JB × HUB208, JB58 × HUB208, JB1 × Bh933 and JB1 × JB58 exhibited high significant positive SCA effect for most of the traits, and identified as superior crosses. There is a need to test the performance of promising plants in advance generation to confirm their superiority. Suggested that to exploit non-additive gene action, one or two cycles of inter-mating or some form of population improvement schemes may be employed in later generation.

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPLETE COLORECTAL PROLAPSE IN A GROWER EMU CHICK (DROMMAIUS NOVAEHOLLANDIAE)

Srinivas Naik and Jyothi Sree Ch

Page No: 88-90

A two and half month old Emu grower chick was presented to Animal Husbandry Veterinary Polytechnic College, Madakasira with a clinical finding of complete Colo-Rectal prolapse since 5 h. Gross examination of prolapsed mass was lacerated and soiled with feathers and litter material. Vital signs of the bird revealed anorexia, straining and restlessness. Differential diagnosis were made to avoid the uncertainty of intussusception and prolapse by passing a probe between prolapsed mass and rectal wall, the attempt was failed based on which it was diagnosed as prolapse. Manual correction of Colo-Rectal prolapse was done by applying purse string sutures surround the anal orifice. Further the bird underwent treatment with intramuscular injections of Intacef @250 mg/day and Melonex 1 mL/day for a period of one week. Successful recovery was observed 15 days after post treatment and no further reoccurrence for a period of three months.

RICE-FISH FARMING APPROACH IN SOME COASTAL AREAS OF WEST BENGAL

Utpal Bhaumik, Arthur Robert, P K Pandit, Suman Saha1, S K Saha and Jayanta Pal

Page No: 91-101

Both rice and fish are immensely important to the livelihood in rural poor people in India as both nutrition and sources of income. Apart from the seasonally flooded freshwater rice fields, high rainfed areas along the coastline can also be utilized for monsoon rice cultivation. Rice-fish culture in coastal saline areas aims at utilizing the summer fallow period of these plots through short duration brackish water aquaculture in sequential system without affecting the subsequent rice crop in the same plot during monsoon. Experimentations were carried out at Tangramari of North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal with the objective of optimizing fish production through integrated management approach. The experimentations were carried out in 38 plots, the size of which ranged from 0.2 to 0.52 ha where three salinity tolerant rice varieties were tried. The paddy productions at maximum level were obtained with Bangladesh Patnai, which ranged between 1000 kg/ha and 2307 kg/ha followed by IT 5656 ranging from 600 to 1750 kg/ha whereas CSR1010 showed poor performance. Four groups consisting of 9-10 farmers involving one variable for each were tried which were Pelleted feed without bhetki (Lates calcarifer); Pelleted feed with bhetki; Traditional feed without bhetki; Traditional feed with bhetki. The pelleted feed without bhetki production 1049.8 kg/ha but pelleted feed with bhetki yielded 875.2 kg/ha. At the same time with the traditional feed without bhetki a production of 986.2 kg/ha was obtained in comparison to the traditional feed with bhetki where production of 867.6 kg/ha was obtained. Under rice-fish farming system though judicious management overall productions can be increased which substantially will also increase the income of the farmers.

PROLENE MESH FOR UMBILICAL HERNIOPLASTY IN A PUP

Chandrapuria V P and Rai Somil

Page No: 102-104

An umbilical hernia was treated in a three months old GSD pup by prolene mesh hernioplasty. The main hernial content was omental fat which was reduced. The hernioplasty was performed by placing a prolene mesh to obliterate the defect. The follow up study for four months revealed uncomplicated recovery of the case.

ECONOMICS OF EARLY PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT REGIMEN AT CALVING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN SURTI BUFFALOES

M D Patel, K K Tyagi, A B Fulsoundar and L M Sorathiya

Page No: 105-111

The post partum period is the most crucial transitory phase in dairy animals. To overcome the various post partum problems in an organized farm, a Prophylactic Treatment Regimen (PTR) had been designed and initiated in Surti buffaloes calved normally during the year 2010-11 at Livestock Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India. A total of 54 buffaloes calved were given random PTR within 3 h (N = 30) and after 3 h (N = 24) of calving. PTR included polyherbal ecbolic preparation along calcium drench and vitamin preparation. A polyherbal ecbolic preparation had been given @200 ml after calving and 100 ml per day for subsequent five days along calcium drench @200 ml after calving and 100 ml per day for subsequent 10 days and vitamin preparation @10 ml after calving and 10 ml per day for subsequent 10 days orally. Subsequently, time taken for Shedding of Placenta (SOP), Post- Partum Estrous (PPE) and Service Period (SP) were recorded. The difference in mean of time taken for SOP in buffaloes supplemented with PTR within 3 h of calving (4.71 ± 0.35 h) and after 3 h of calving (5.00 ± 0.40 h) was non-significant. The mean PPE in buffaloes supplemented within 3 h and after 3 h of calving was 65.36 ± 6.44 and 89.94 ± 7.14 days, respectively. The mean SP in days for same groups was 73.83 ± 9.48 and 139.60 ± 10.78, respectively. The PPE and SP in buffaloes supplemented with PTR within 3 h were significantly lower as compared to buffaloes supplemented with PTR after 3 h. The estimated cost of maintenance and treatment was Rs. 100/day/adult animal and Rs. 390 animal, respectively. The net saving of Rs. 6577 per adult animal was found in case of buffaloes supplemented with PTR within 3 h of calving with an advantage of 65.77 days reduced service period over buffaloes supplemented PTR after 3 h of calving. Therefore, it was concluded that PTR within 3 h had economically beneficial effects on reproductive performance of Surti buffaloes.