ANTIFEEDANT EFFECTS OF VITEX NEGUNDO L. LEAF EXTRACTS ON THE STORED PRODUCT PEST, TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM H. (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE)

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the nutritional and feeding deterrence indices of Tribolium castaneum adults caused by petroleum ether and methanol extracts of Vitex negundo.Methods: A modified method of flour disc bioassay was carried out to study the antifeedant activities of both the extracts on the stored product pest, T. castaneum. In this bioassay, the insects were allowed to feed on wheat flour treated with various concentrations (1.25%, 2.5% and 5%) of petroleum ether and methanol extracts of V. negundo (VPE and VME) for 24 h in ‘no choice' chambers. The effects of different concentrations of the extracts on relative growth rate and relative consumption rate of T. castaneum and the difference between the activities of two extracts were statistically analysed and compared by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Similarly, the comparison of the activities of VPE and VME, and their dose effects on the efficiency of conversion of ingested food and feeding deterrence indices of the insects were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: VPE and VME significantly affected growth, consumption and utilisation of food, and caused antifeedancy in T. castaneum. It was also found that both the extracts resulted in a slight reduction in growth rate of the insect, compared with that of the control. The reductions in relative growth rate (RGR) (P=0.37) and relative food consumption rate (RCR) (P<0.05) were more prominent for 2.5% and 5% of both the extracts. In nutritional studies, it was found that increase in the concentration (P<0.05) resulted in an increase in the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) significantly with both the extracts. The RGR, RCR and ECI of the insects were found to be similar with both the extracts. The extracts showed dose-dependent feeding deterrence index (FDI) for this insect (P<0.001). The activity was found to be similar with both the extracts (P=0.07).Conclusion: The present study reveals that both VPE and VME show significant antifeedancy in T. castaneum and thus they can effectively be used for the protection of grains from insects

Relationship between morphology and tensile properties of pig hair fibre

The surface and cross-sectional features of hair fibres from four different breeds of pigs has been evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The cross-section of the pig hair is modelled into an ellipse and the elliptical features of the fibre are correlated with its tensile properties. Surface scales in pig hair are arranged in imbricate type, crenate pattern and spaced at a mean distance of 4.58±0.24μm. Overall mean eccentricity, flattening, focus, area and angular eccentricity of pig hair fibre is found to be 0.60±0.09, 0.25±0.07, 195.16±33.68μm, and 0.06±0.01mm2 and 38.24±6.61 ° respectively. The ellipticity parameters are positively correlated with tensile properties (tenacity, extensibility, initial modulus and work of rupture) of the fibre. The specific flexural rigidity is negatively correlated with the ellipticity of the fibre, suggesting that the elliptical fibres may be more flexible than the fibres with circular cross-section

Gestation Table of Buffalo

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Importance of feeding mineral and vitamin mixture in dairy animals

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Importance of Artificial Insemination in dairy farming

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Second Version of the web application that helps to calculate accurate calving and weaning dates for different breeds of buffalo updated with an expert system on scientific buffalo farmingSecond Version of the web application that helps to calculate accurate calving and weaning dates for different breeds of buffalo updated with an expert system on scientific buffalo farmingNot Availabl

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Not AvailableA comparative study was undertaken to evaluate the reproductive performance of various pig breeds reared under intensive system of rearing in sub-tropical climate. Trends in reproductive performance were studied in different breeds with respect to age at puberty and first fertile service, weaning to estrus interval (WEI), farrowing interval, litter size and farrowing indices. Analysis of data revealed earlier age at puberty in Ghungroo (7.8±0.41 months) and crossbred pigs (7.86±0.17 months). Correspondingly, age at first fertile service were earlier in crossbred sows (8.94±0.16 months) and Ghungroo (9.3±0.43 months). In general, an extended WEI could be observed in all breeds and the delay was more pronounced in primiparous compared to multiparous sows. Litter size at birth was significantly higher in Ghungroo (8.7±0.25) and crossbreds [HS × GH (8.5±0.48) and HS × NM (8.2±0.55)] in comparison to other groups. Average numbers of piglets weaned per sow were significantly higher in Ghungroo sows and its crosses. Average pre-weaning mortality was found to be significantly lower in crossbreds with Hampshire-desi crosses having the lowest rate (2.94%). Out of all groups, crossbreds had a higher farrowing index value of 2.01 while indigenous breeds had a relatively lower farrowing index (1.72). Significant influences of different genetic groups on various reproductive variables were observed in the present study while environmental factors and selection practices also appeared to contribute overall variations in the reproductive performanceNot Availabl

Tropical Animal Health and Production

Not AvailablePig farming is one of the most economically viable options for the rural backward and resource-poor farmers in Asian countries. Growth rate and litter size are the most important traits based on which the crossbreeding programs are typically planned in commercial pig farming. The modern system of farming with high yielding improved pig germplasm helps in economic growth in piggery enterprises. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of various genetic and non-genetic factors on growth and reproductive performances of 75% crossbred progenies of Large White Yorkshire and indigenous Agonda Goan pigs. Body weights were recorded at birth, weaning, and at monthly intervals up to 10 months of age. Reproductive performances were also recorded for litter size and weights at birth and weaning stages, age at first farrowing, number of services per conception, farrowing interval, and pre-weaning mortality. The general linear model was used to estimate overall least square means of body weights at different ages considering the effects of different factors at certain levels viz., generation (i = first, second, third, fourth), sex (j = male, female), litter size at birth (k = 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, ?10), parity (l = 1, 2, ?3), season (m = summer, rainy, spring), and period of birth (n = 2012-2015, 2016-2019). The heritability and genetic correlations for different traits were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method using WOMBAT software. The re(production) parameters were analyzed to assess the genetic improvement in successive generations. There was significant difference (p < 0.01) in body weights among different generations where animals belonging to latest generation showed maximum body weights indicating ideal selective breeding in the herd. Other fixed effects also had significant effects on growth performance which clearly signifies to the crucial influence of rearing environment and animal factors like parity of dams as well as litter size at birth. The overall birth weight, weaning weight, and weight at 10 months of age were 1.00 ? 0.01 kg, 7.57 ? 0.07 kg, and 81.58 ? 1.96 kg, respectively. Nevertheless, weaning weight and weight at marketing age (8 months) were 8.04 ? 0.27 kg and 75.48 ? 1.40 kg, respectively, in fourth generation, indicating higher post-weaning growth rate of 337.20 g/day. During this fourth generation, mean litter size at birth was 8.35 ? 0.43 and litter size at weaning was 7.79 ? 0.39 with lowest percentage of pre-weaning mortality (4.11 ? 1.51). The average age at first farrowing and farrowing interval was 293 ? 17.24 and 195 ? 4.78 days, respectively. There was apparently greater genetic gain in each generation except for the second generation which might be due to the environment and managemental issues that hindered reproductive performance traits and body growth. The heritability estimate for weaning weight was 0.45 and higher heritability values were observed for all the body weights except weight at third month. Genetic as well as phenotypic correlations were moderate to high among the growth traits. The heritability and genetic correlations at birth and weaning indicate the reliability of selection at an early age. The findings indicated that there is scope for improvement through genetic selection in later generations and the 75% crossbred pigs thrived well in the prevailing hot and humid tropical coastal climate. The improved germplasm could satisfy the farmers' need in a commercial venture with high economic retur

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Not AvailableTwelve crossbred (Hampshire × Ghungroo) grower pigs (about 3.5 months, 19.31±0.10 kg BW) of either sex were divided into 2 groups of six each in a randomized block design to study the effect of supplementation of Azolla (Azolla carolini) meal on production performance of crossbred pigs. The trial was conducted in two phases i.e. grower stage from 3-5 months of age and finisher stage from 5-8 months of age of the pigs. The treatment groups were T1G (control) and T2G (2% Azolla) in grower stage and T1 F (control) and T2 F (2% Azolla) in finisher stage. All the diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso caloric. The growth rate and feed conversion ratio, digestibility of nutrients and cost of production were similar in both the groups in two phases.Not Availabl