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Subject: Animal Nutrition × Author: RAVI KANTH REDDY, P × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EVALUATION OF RATIONS CONTAINING SLOW RELEASE UREA ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF RUMINANTS
    (SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2018-03) RAVI KANTH REDDY, P; Srinivas Kumar, D(MAJOR); Raghava Rao, E; Venkata Seshiah, Ch.; Satheesh, K
    ABSTRACT: In the present study, two in vitro and four in vivo trials were conducted to evaluate the usage efficiency of slow release urea (Optigen II) product in buffalo bulls, adult rams, and ram lambs fed crop residue based total mixed rations and in lactating buffaloes fed green fodder and conventional concentrate mixture. An in vitro nitrogen release test was conducted to analyze the damage caused to SRU coating during handling and processing. The urea release from the coated urea (SRU) as supplied by manufacturer and SRU collected from the total mixed rations fed to adult rams, ram lambs, buffalo bulls, and lactating animals were 69.01, 85.68, 84.51, 82.16, and 76.29 per cent as much urea as uncoated urea in 1 h, revealing a considerable damage caused to the coating at varying levels in the four in vivo trials conducted. Another in vitro trial was conducted to assess the rate of NH3-N release from various protein sources used in the in vivo experiments. The rate of increase in NH3-N release was much more pronounced in urea group followed by SRU (Optigen II), CSM, SBM, and urea, with a significant (P<0.01) treatment x time interactions. In the 1st trial, four graded Murrah buffalo bulls (avg. b. wt. 365.47 ± 16.45 kg), arranged in a 4 x 4 LSD, were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments viz. total mixed ration (TMR) with maize stover and concentrate in 70: 30 proportion, incorporated with SRU at 0 (T1), 1.0 (T2), 2.0 (T3), and 3.0 (T4) per cent level, and evaluated for their effect on rumen fermentation pattern, mineral balances, and nutrient utilization in buffalo bulls. The rumen fermentation studies in fistulated Murrah buffalo bulls revealed that the pH, TVFA and nitrogen fractions i.e. NH3-N, TCA insoluble N and residual N were higher (P<0.01) in SRU fed groups (T2, T3, and T4) compared to control (T1). The concentration of TVFA, TCA ppt N, and Residual N peaked at 4 hours post feeding, while the NH3-N, total N, and food and protozoal N showed a dose-dependent relationship with the peak values at 4, 4, 6 and 8 hrs post feeding for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, NDF and hemi-cellulose were higher (P<0.05) in SRU incorporated rations as compared to the control. However, incorporation of SRU in rations had no effect (P>0.05) on the digestibility of EE, CF, NFE, ADF and cellulose. All the buffalo bulls were in positive balance for N, Ca and P. The intake (g/d) of N, Ca and P were similar among all treatments. Incorporation of SRU in the diets of buffalo bulls had no effect (P>0.05) on N, Ca and P retentions expressed either as g/d, per cent of intake or as per cent absorbed. The average DMI of buffalo bulls expressed as kg/d or as % BW was comparable among the treatments. The present study indicated that incorporation of SRU in the ration increased (P<0.05) the DCP and TDN content expressed as % in the diet consumed or as kg/d. Further, the DM, DCP, TDN and ME intakes per kg W0.75 were similar among the treatments and were higher than the values recommended by ICAR (1998) standards. In the 2nd trial, twelve lactating Murrah buffaloes were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments and fed hybrid Napier (APBN-1) ad libitum and concentrate mixture incorporated with SRU at 0 (T1) and 2.0 (T2) per cent level, and evaluated for their effect on nutrient utilization, milk yield and composition. The per cent digestibility of gross nutrients and cell wall fractions increased in lactating Murrah buffaloes fed rations incorporated with SRU as compared to the control, but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). Incorporation of SRU in the diet had no effect (P>0.05) on the DCP and TDN content expressed as % in the diet consumed or as kg/d. Further, the DM, DCP, TDN and ME intakes per kg W0.75 were similar among the treatments and were higher than the values recommended by ICAR (1998). The average yield of milk, fat, SNF, total solids, lactose, protein, butter fat yield, 6% FCM yield, and energy corrected milk yield were higher in buffaloes fed SRU compared to control but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). The feed efficiency (kg DMI per kg 6% FCM) was similar in both the rations. The cost of feed/kg 6% FCM was higher (P>0.05) in T1 compared T2, with a net increase in benefit over feed cost by 4.67% in SRU fed rations. In the 3rd trial, four adult rams (avg. b. wt. 43.02 ± 0.76 kg), arranged in 4 x 4 LSD were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments viz. TMR with green gram straw and concentrate in 60: 40 proportion, incorporated with SRU at 0 (T1), 1.0 (T2), 2.0 (T3), and 3.0 (T4) per cent level, and evaluated for their effect on serum urea nitrogen and nutrient utilization. The mean SUN concentration (M mol/L) was higher (P<0.01) in T4 and lower in T1 compared to other treatments. Time after feeding significantly (P<0.01) affected the SUN concentration with a peak at 4 h postprandial period. Further, Incorporation of SRU in the rations had no effect (P>0.05) on the digestibility of nutrients except CP which increased significantly (P<0.05) at 3.0% level as compared to the control. The DCP content expressed as per cent in the diet consumed or as intake (kg/d) was higher (P<0.05) in T4 as compared to T1. The present study indicated that incorporation of SRU in the diet had no effect (P>0.05) on the TDN content expressed as % in the diet consumed or as kg/d. Further, the DM, DCP, TDN and ME intakes per kg W0.75 were similar among the treatments and were higher than the values recommended by ICAR (2013). In the 4th trial, twelve ram lambs were randomly distributed to two dietary treatments and fed TMR with green gram straw and concentrate in 50: 50 proportions, incorporated with SRU at 0 (T1) and 2 (T2) per cent level, and evaluated for its effect on growth, nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics. The DMI expressed as Kg/d (P<0.05) or g/kg W0.75 (P<0.01) was lower in SRU fed group as compared to the control. Incorporation of SRU in the rations had no effect (P>0.05) on ADG, FCR (kg feed / kg gain) and cost of feed ( /kg gain). Incorporation of SRU in the TMR had no effect (P>0.05) on the digestibility of nutrients, except CP, which increased significantly (P<0.05) as compared to the control. Incorporation of SRU in the diet had no effect (P>0.05) on the DCP and TDN content expressed as % in the diet consumed or as kg/d. Further, the DM, DCP, TDN and ME intakes per kg W0.75 were similar among the treatments and were higher than the values recommended by ICAR (1998). Carcass studies revealed that the SRU incorporation had no effect (P>0.05) on slaughter data, dressing per cent, proportion of wholesale cuts and carcass composition, when compared to the control. Further, it is observed that both yield of visceral organs and chemical composition of longissimus dorsi muscle were unaltered upon replacing SBM by SRU in the diets. Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that slow release urea (Optigen II) can be incorporated up to 3% in total mixed rations for buffalo bulls and adult rams, up to 2% in ram lambs and up to 2% in the concentrate mixture for lactating buffaloes thus reducing the cost of feed per kg gain in ram lambs and cost of feed per kg 6% fat corrected milk in lactating buffaloes without any adverse effects.