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ThesisItem Open Access NANOSAFETY OF NANOFERTILIZER AND NANOCARRIER IN RATS MEDIATED THROUGH BREAST MILK(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) AHMAD HUSSAIN; GAUTAM KAULNanotechnology is a promising tool in every aspect of modern life including agriculture. Nanoproducts like nanofertilizers (nutrients in nanoform) and nanocarriers (nanoporous materials for controlled release) are becoming centre of attraction due to their role in precision agriculture. There is dire need of safety assessment before their application due to environmental exposure and possible health hazard to life forms including humans. Keeping all this in view, the present investigation was designed to assess the safety of ZnO nanofertilizer (ZNF) and mesoporous silica nanocarrier (MSN) taking both in vitro and in vivo model into account. Under in vitro study, cytotoxicity of ZNF and MSN on immune as well as male germ cell was evaluated by MTT, WST8 and neutral red assay. The cell viability in both cases decreased significantly by time (1hr, 4hr) and concentration (1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml) dependent treatment of ZNF compared to control. The anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD: Superoxide dismutase, GPX: Glutathione peroxidase) increased significantly (P < 0.01) after 1 hour incubation with 50 μg/ml of ZNF. Lethal Concentration (100 μg/ml) obtained from percentage hemolysis (%hemolysis) assay of RBCs confirms that ZNF is relative toxic than MSN. In neutrophils and male germ cells treated upto 100 μg/ml MSN no significant changes was observed in %viability, %hemolysis as well as in the activities of oxidative stress enzymes as compared to control. Additionally, ZNF at higher concentration leads to significant loss (p<0.05) in viability and membrane integrity of male germ cell as depicted by Eosin-Nigrosin assay and hypo-osmotic swelling test, respectively. In case of in vivo study, lactating nulliparous rats were orally administered 5, 25 and 50mg/kg b.w. ZNF as well as MSN for consecutively 19 days from the first day of parturition. ZNF was distributed significantly to breast milk with increasing dose as quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Further, ZNF were absorbed by the small intestine and distributed to liver of breast-fed pups. Histopathology study of intestine and liver of offsprings depicted the gross pathological changes caused by milk mediated transfer of ZNF. Most of the ZNF and MSN were excreted through feces of dams. IgA secretion in the intestinal fluid of offsprings increased significantly on increasing dose of ZNF to dams. Liver injury marker enzymes (AST, ALT) increased significantly in dams and offspring postnatally. The level of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) in serum increased significantly in the offsprings of 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg bw group. The total cytochrome P450 reductase and total antioxidant capacity decreased significantly in the offsprings of 50mg/kg ZNF given dams group. Further, nitric oxide production and phagocytosis activity of macrophages from offsprings of 50mg/kg ZNF dams group decreased significantly (p<0.05). Real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated milk mediated expression of anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD, GPX), apoptosis (BAX) and cytokines (TNFα, IL1β) genes in offspring neutrophils after oral administration of 50/mg kg b.w ZNF to dams. These results provide information that MSN is comparatively safer than ZNF upto 100 μg/ml concentrations in vitro and 50mg/kg body weight in vivo intubation to dams after parturition.ThesisItem Open Access ROLE OF PLANT BIOREGULATORS IN MITIGATING MATRIC AND OSMOTIC STRESS IN PEARL MILLET-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) TARAMANI YADAV; R.K. YADAVThe study entitled “Role of plant bioregulators in mitigating matric and osmotic stress in pearl millet-wheat cropping system” was undertaken for two consecutive years (2016- 2018) in salty sandy loam soil ECe (7.61±2.32 dS m-1), pH1:2 (8.38±0.77) at ICAR-CSSRI experimental farm, Nain, Panipat (Haryana). Subsequent laboratory analysis was completed at ICAR-CSSRI and ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. In triple replicated split-split plot design experiment, matric stress i.e. irrigations~@60 (I1), 80 (I2) and 100% (I3) of crop ET (ETc) was imposed in main plot treatments at critical growth stages. Four levels of saline irrigation water i.e. EC 2, 4, 8 and 12 dS m-1 (S0, S1, S2 and S3) were applied in sub plots. In sub-sub plots two plant bioregulators (PBRs); salicylic acid (SA) and thiourea (TU) along with control [G0, G1 and G2), were applied as seed priming and foliar spray at critical growth stages. Deficit irrigation regimes (I2 and I1) significantly reduced wheat grain yield. Growth, yield, many quality and physiological parameters of wheat were reduced significantly with matric stress (I1 and I2). There were significant reductions in grain yield, RWC (at flowering stage), crude protein yield (total) and B:C ratio of pearl millet and wheat, wheat straw yield beyond 4 dS m-1. Stover and biological yield of pearl millet was not changed significantly upto 8 dS m-1. Dry matter (DM) content of wheat straw and, ash, ADF, ADL (grain and stover) and NDF (stover) content of pearl millet were significantly higher in S2 and S3. Higher irrigation volume (100% ETc) with higher osmotic stress (12 dS m-1) significantly reduced wheat and pearl millet grain yields. Both salicylic acid and thiourea had improved growth, yield, nutritional quality, biochemical activities and benefit:cost ratio of pearl millet and wheat. However, SA was superior for alleviating the stresses in pearl millet and TU in wheat. SA was more effective in mitigating mild osmotic stress (4 dS m-1), but TU performed significantly better at severe osmotic stress (12 dS m-1) in both crops. Soil ECe at harvest increased significantly with application of 8 dS m-1 and 12 dS m-1 irrigation water. Net return and B:C ratio did not influence significantly upto 4 and 8 dS m-1 by application of SA and TU, respectively in wheat.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF DAIRY TOURISM MODEL FOR TRANS-GANGETIC PLAINS OF INDIA(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) MAHESH BHIMASHANKAR TENGLI; MEENA, B.S.Income enhancement of the farmers and attracting and retaining youth in agriculture are the two aspects of national importance. This study is an attempt to provide dairy farmers with new income-generating activity. With this intent, the present study was designed to develop a "Dairy tourism" model for the Trans-Gangetic plains of India. A total of 160 tourists were interviewed to assess their expectations from dairy tourism. Collectively, more than 60.00 percent of the respondent-tourists deemed all the identified expectations (assets, activities, and attractions) as important and very important. Tourist inclination towards Dairy tourism was assessed to understand their level of a mental tendency towards dairy tourism. Respondent-tourists were having a higher level of inclination towards dairy tourism. The dairy tourism model was developed by applying the partial least square- structural equation modeling. In the proposed theoretical dairy tourism model, all three research hypotheses (H1, H2, and H3) were supported and confirmed by the findings of the study. Further, 300 commercial dairy farmers were interviewed to assess their individual entrepreneurial orientation towards dairy tourism. More than two-thirds (71.00 %) of the respondent-dairy farmers belonged to medium, through high to a very high level of the individual entrepreneurial orientation category. Dairy farmers' expectations were assessed to develop a model for dairy farmers' support for dairy tourism development. Collectively, more than 75.00 percent of the respondent-dairy farmers considered all the identified expectations from government and extension services as important and very important. Eight of the nine hypothesized paths (H1, H2, H3, H4, H6, H7, H8, and H9) in the “dairy farmers' support for dairy tourism development” model were statistically significant. One research hypothesis, "H5" was non-significant.; however, the direction was predicted correctly. This study identified the characteristics components of dairy tourism that will enable dairy farmers and entrepreneurs to start dairy tourism as an additional income generation activity. The “dairy farmers' support for dairy tourism development” model provided insights into the factors that are important to seek dairy farmers' support for dairy tourism development.ThesisItem Open Access DAIRYING AMONGST THE BROKPA TRANSHUMANCE PASTORAL NOMADS: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) AZAD, ABUL K.; JHA, SUJEET KUMARPastoralism is a complex food producing system. Pastoralist produce food from the driest, coldest, hottest and mountainous environment, yet is marginalized and misunderstood. The zero input livestock farming not only nourishes them but equally contributes to the international trade. Likewise the Brokpa, community followed the zero input yak and cattle-yak hybrid farming and contribute the same but they were poorly documented. On the other hand, the migratory system of animal rearing by the pastoralist is unique although it was not extensively highlighted. They had enriched indigenous techniques in milk processing and preservation, despite of that very few attempt was made to be documented. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to document the dairy husbandry practices followed by the Brokpa pastoral Nomads. The study was an ‘ethnography’, therefore, the Brokpa pastoral community were selected purposively. Furthermore, this pastoral community exist in Arunachal Pradesh and mostly reside in Tawang and West Kameng districts. Therefore, the Arunachal Pradesh and Tawang district and West Kameng district were selected purposively followed by identification of migratory routes. From each district, four migratory routes were identified, further, from each migratory route 15 pastoralists were interviewed. Thus, a total of 120 pastoralist’s were selected as the respondents. The study revealed that the pasture land and forest degradation were increasing due to repeated human and natural factors. Their distance covered during migration were increased by 2.5 per cent in Tawang district and by 8.3 per cent in West Kameng districts due to perceived climate variations as reported by the respondents. Staying at alpine pastures during summer season was also extended. Feed and fodder scarcity, water problem and lack of proper shelterhome at high-altitude especially during winter were encountered. The economy of Brokpa were based on selling of milk products such as chhurpi, churkam and butter. But, the young generations had lost their interest on yak rearing and preparing of milk products as the farming required highly related skilled manpower as revealed by respondents. The pure breed for mating and basic amenities of livelihood such as health centres and schools at high altitude were also invisible. As per healthcare of animal was concerned, Leech infestation, Bebesia, Tick infestation and poor night vision were reported by the respondents. Apart from these, lack of basic amenity centres such as health centre, school, banks etc. at high-altitude were also unseen.ThesisItem Open Access VULNERABILITY OF DAIRY FARMERS TO RISK AND UNCERTAINTY IN COASTAL ODISHA AND EFFECTIVENESS OF COPING STRATEGIES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) BARAL, SHIBASHISH; CHANDEL, B SRisk is all pervasive in Indian agriculture and dairy sector is no exception to that. Odisha being a coastal state faces huge risk from climatic occurrences and underdeveloped production environment. Keeping this in view, the present study assessed risk, Vulnerability to risk and formulated risk efficient farm plans for coastal Odisha region. The primary data collected for the study pertains to the year 2015-16 collected from 400 households of the 4 districts of the coastal region of Odisha. The primary data were supplemented by the secondary data on cost of production, cost inputs and animal population of the region as required by the study. Risk and risk factors facing the dairy farmers were studied both at regional and farm level. The vulnerability of farmers was assessed by construction of a vulnerability index constructed as a function of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Regression analysis was carried out in determining the factors affecting the farm level vulnerability. Farm enterprises diversification along with extent of adoption of livestock and crop insurance was assessed as strategies of risk diffusion. Finally risk efficient composite farm plans were formulated for the different categories of farm households by use of linear programming techniques and Minimisation of Total Absolute Deviation (MOTAD) model. Repeat breeding appears to be affecting the crossbred (CB) cows much more than the local cows. Among diseases, mastitis appears to be greatest contributor to household (HH) losses at about 40 per cent share while FMD and Blood protozoan diseases were found to be the second and third highest contributors. The natural calamity mortality of dairy animals was found to be very less in comparison to the diseases mortality at about 0.33 and 4.56 per cent, respectively. The regional economic loss to dairy and crop sector in coastal Odisha was found to be about Rs. 34,000 lakhs and Rs. 1,898 crores per annum, respectively. About 44 per cent of landless households were found to fall under highly vulnerable and very highly vulnerable category combinedly while the same in case of marginal farmers was found close to 50 per cent. The study found decrease in vulnerability with the increase in farm sizes. Regional location of households was found to be a factor affecting the degree of vulnerability of farmers, confirming different level of vulnerability between the two coastal region of Odisha. Animal husbandry diversification index was found to be highest in case of landless farmers at about 0.631 suggesting their greater dependence on livestock and diversifying for lowering the risk. The overall coverage of livestock mortality and crop damage by adoption of insurance coverages were found to be about 14 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. In the composite risk efficient farm plans, increase in cropping intensity and increase in area of cash crops like groundnut and vegetable suggests them as crops of higher return with relatively lower risk association. Among dairy animals crossbred cows appeared to be more preferable than the local cows. The small animal holdings like goat and sheep increased in all farm plans in comparison to their present level of holdings suggesting them to be risk efficient farm activities with prospects of higher return.ThesisItem Open Access ESTIMATION OF OUTPUT SUPPLY AND FACTOR DEMAND ELASTICITIES OF MILK PRODUCTION IN EASTERN REGION OF INDIA(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) KUMARI, BINITA; CHANDEL, B SDairy farmers have an important role to play in determining the level of milk production in the country. In order to lure the farmers into dairy farming the suitable policies related to prices are important as they act as instrument for policy implementation. The present study was carried out in the eastern region of India with the objectives to estimate the factor demand, output supply, cost and net income elasticities of milk production as well as to determine the level of profit efficiency among the dairy farmers in the region and the factors effecting it. The states of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal were chosen and one district was selected from each state. One tehsil was chosen from each district from which two villages were selected. Complete enumeration of the villages was done and three strata (small (1-3 milch animals); medium (4&5 milch animals); large (>5 milch animals) were formed using cumulative square root frequency method. Further, a sample of 300 respondents was selected according to probability proportional to size. In order to fulfil the objectives, the tools of normalised translog profit function approach, cost and net income models and stochastic profit frontier were used. The average milk productivity of crossbred cow (13.15 litres / day) was about eight times higher than that of the local cow (1.65 litres / day) and about two times higher than that of the buffalo (6.21 litres / day) which clearly indicate superiority of crossbred cow in milk productivity. The average profit per household per day from milk production was ` 332 over variable costs. Among the milch animals, the returns over total cost were ` 5.36 and ` 1.46 per litre of milk production from crossbred and buffalo, respectively. The net return per litre of milk production which was negative (` -32.72) for local cow over total cost, turned out to be positive (` 8.54) when only cash costs were taken into consideration. Overall, supply elasticity of milk with respect to own price was estimated to be 0.7154 showing positive, yet comparatively inelastic effect on milk supply. The milk supply elasticities with respect to input prices were negative and with respect to fixed factors it was positive. The milk supply elasticity was the highest negative with respect to wage rates (-0.3682). All the own price elasticities of demand were negative, thereby, revealing that all the inputs are normal goods whose demand increases as their prices fall. The own price elasticity of demand for concentrate (- 0.0006) was almost perfectly inelastic revealing that irrespective of the change in prices, required quantity of concentrate was demanded. Almost all the cross price elasticities were negative, indicating that the inputs were complements to each other. All the factor demand elasticities with respect to milk prices were positive. Overall, net income elasticity (12.3435) of milk with respect to its own price was four times higher as compared to cost elasticity (3.0709) which demonstrates that raising the milk price may be right approach towards increasing the income of the farmer. The magnitude of cost (0.2335) and net income elasticity (-2.4646) with respect to labour wages was the highest. The mean profit efficiency of the dairy farmers in the study area was 0.7215 which increased with increase in the herd size. Profit efficiencies in the area can be increased by having older, more educated and experienced farmer take decisions related to dairy activities and by increasing amount of family labour, herd size, number of crossbred cows in the herd and exposure to information and trainings and by improving infrastructure facilities like proper roads, veterinary hospitals, cooperatives etc.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON ITS BIOAVAILABILITY IN LACTATING CATTLE(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) MIR, SHAHID HASSAN; MANI, VEENAThe present study was conducted to determine the bioavailability of zinc from three different organic (zinc glycine (ZnG) and zinc propionate (ZnP), zinc hydroxy methionine (ZnM)) and one inorganic (zinc sulphate (ZnS)) sources. The experiment was carried on 30 KF lactating cattle for the period of 160 days starting from mid lactation (100 days) to end lactation (260 days). The animals were subjected to the pre-trial period (PT) of three weeks at the beginning of the trial. The animals were then grouped on the basis of body weight and milk yield into five (n=6 animals) groups viz control, zinc sulphate, zinc glycine, zinc propionate and zinc methionine. All the experimental animals were fed basal diets (32.2 ppm zinc) fulfilling their requirement in energy and protein as per ICAR (2013). The pre-trial period (PT) was followed by the periods of zinc supplementations except in control group (C). Animals were supplemented with the zinc three times (S1-50, S2-50 and S3-100) interspersed with the two nonsupplementation periods (NS1 and NS2). Low dose zinc (50 ppm) was supplemented in the first two supplementation periods (S1-50 and S2-50) and high dose (100ppm) zinc was supplemented in third period (S3-100). Samples were collected at the end of each period and in the middle of first supplementation period, each period was designated as PT, 21S1-50, 42S1-50, NS1, S2-50, NS2 and S3-100. In each supplementation period (21S1-50, 42S1- 50, S2-50 and S3-100) blood samples were collected at 0, 6, 12 and 24h post supplementation of zinc. Humoral and cell mediated immunity of the experimental animals were studied in the first (S1-50) and last (S3-100) supplementation periods. During first and last supplementation periods, two metabolic trials were conducted to determine digestibility, nutrient intake, nitrogen balance and mineral balance. Results revealed that zinc supplementation had no effect on dry matter and nutrient intake. Milk yield declined from mid to late lactation in all groups but the decline was least in zinc propionate correlating with the lowest somatic cell count. Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity increased significantly (P<0.05) in the zinc supplemented groups in all periods after 42S1-50 and it decreased linearly in control group. The plasma metallothionine-1A concentration increased significantly (P<0.05) in organic zinc supplemented groups at low dose level and in all groups at high dose level. Catalase, SOD and FRAP was higher while TBARS tend to be lower in organic zinc supplemented groups. Cortisol concentration decreased significantly (P<0.05) while Total Ig and IgG increased in organic zinc supplemented groups. The cell mediated immunity (percent change in skin thickness) increased nearly to its double after 6h of injection in all groups especially zinc propionate group thereafter it slowly reversed to normal levels at 48h. Humoral immunity determined by log2 titre against sheep RBC was significantly higher on 14 and 21 days in zinc propionate group at both low and high doses. Plasma zinc increased significantly (P<0.05) with the supplementation of zinc at day 42 (42S1-50) of supplementation irrespective of source. Plasma zinc concentration in the control group had shown a declining trend. Zinc supplementation had no effect on plasma calcium, iron and copper levels. Plasma zinc levels peak at 6h post supplementation and fell back to the basal level at 24h in all supplemented groups. However, in organic supplemented groups it tended to be higher during all the supplementation periods. RBC zinc was higher in organic supplemented groups at high dose supplementation during S3-100. Zinc supplementation irrespective of source and dose had no effect on digestibility of nutrients, nutrient intake, nitrogen balance and mineral balance (calcium, copper and iron). However, zinc absorption in all the supplemented groups was higher, the value being highest in zinc propionate group at both low and high dose supplementation. The retention of zinc was higher in zinc supplemented groups than the control group. The expression of MTI gene was significantly higher in zinc propionate group at higher dose of supplementation and the expression of ZnT1 gene was higher in organic zinc supplemented groups at higher dose of supplementation. Results indicate that zinc supplementation irrespective of source at 50ppm is essential for the lactating cattle and the duration of zinc supplementation had greater impact than the dose. Organic sources of zinc have higher bioavailability than the inorganic source and among the organic sources zinc propionate tend to have higher bioavailability probably due to different method of absorption and metabolism.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF HYDROXY ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON IMMUNITY, MINERAL BIOAVAILABILITY, AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN PRE AND POST RUMINANT CALVES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) Pal, Ravi Prakash; MANI, VEENAThe present study was designed to investigate the effect of hydroxy Zn supplementation on immunity, mineral bioavailability and growth performance in pre and post ruminant calves. The study was carried out in two-phase. In the phase first, an in vitro trial was carried out to see the effect of different levels of zinc hydroxy chloride and ZnSO4 (0, 40, 80, 160 ppm) on rumen fermentation parameters. The results of the experiment revealed no significant effect of the addition of hydroxy Zn (up to 160 ppm) on rumen fermentation parameters. In the second phase, two experiments were conducted in pre and post ruminant crossbred calves. In experiment first, twenty-four crossbred calves of about ten days of age were taken and distributed into four groups (C, T1, T2 and T3) to find out the effect of different levels of hydroxy Zn on immunity, mineral bioavailability and growth performance. All the four groups were fed as per ICAR (2013) feeding standards except that these were additionally supplemented with 0, 80 ppm Zn (as ZnSO4), 40 ppm Zn (as ZnOHCl) and 80 ppm Zn (as ZnOHCl) in the four respective groups for 90 days, thereafter were kept without supplementation of Zn for 30 days. Results revealed that daily DMI, growth performance were significantly (P<0.05) increased in the Zn supplemented groups. Hemato-biochemical parameters, digestibility of nutrients, mineral balance (Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn) and N balance were not affected due to Zn supplementation, however, total protein, globulin, ALP and retention of Zn were significantly (P<0.05) increased in Zn supplemented groups and among those the higher concentration of total protein and globulin, and retention of Zn were found in T3 as compared to T1 and T2. Plasma and erythrocyte Zn concentration, antioxidant enzyme, immune responses and plasma hormones were significantly increased (P<0.01) in supplemented groups and among those erythrocyte Zn and TAC concentration were higher in T3 group as compared to T1 and T2. Thus supplementation of hydroxy Zn even at 40 ppm improved feed intake, growth performance, antioxidant status, immune responses and biomarker of Zn status in pre ruminant calves, results being comparable among the treatment groups. In experiment second, twenty-four male crossbred calves of 5-7 month of age were randomly distributed in four groups (C, T1, T2 and T3) to find out the effect of hydroxy Zn on immunity, mineral bioavailability and growth performance in post ruminant calves. The experiment was conducted for 120 days. Results revealed that feed intake, growth performance, hemato-biochemical parameters, digestibility of nutrients, mineral balance (Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn) and N balance were not altered due to supplementation of Zn. However, globulin concentration, ALP activity and retention of Zn were significantly (P<0.05) increased in the Zn supplemented groups. Among different groups, higher ALP activity and retention of Zn was found in T3 group as compared to T1 and T2. Plasma as well as erythrocyte Zn concentration, antioxidant status, immune responses and thyroxin hormone were significantly (P<0.01) increased in the three Zn supplemented groups but CMI and SOD activity were higher in T3 as compared to T1 and T2. However, TAC and IgG concentration was higher in T2 and T3 groups as compared to T1. The results indicated that supplementation of 40 ppm Zn through Zn hydroxy chloride was comparable to 80 ppm Zn from ZnSO4 in terms of improvement in antioxidant status and immune responses with higher retention of Zn in post ruminant calves.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF PLANE OF NUTRITION DURING PREPARTUM PERIOD ON BIRTH WEIGHT AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN MURRAH BUFFALO CALVES(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2019) DEY, DIPAK; MALIK, RAMANThe present study investigated the effect of feeding high plane of nutrition to prepartum Murrah buffaloes on birth weight of calves and their performance, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites. The study comprised of three phases. In phase-I, Feed ingredients viz. grains like maize, oats, agro-industrial byproducts like wheat bran, deoiled rice bran, oil cakes namely mustard oil cake (MOC), groundnut cake (GNC) and soybean meal (SBM) and forages namely, maize, Oats, berseem, sugargraze and wheat straw were evaluated for their metabolizable protein (MP), metabolizable energy (ME), in addition to detailed composition. MP (%) was highest in maize grain (7.53), wheat bran (9.28) and groundnut cake (28.77) and was lowest in oats (7.02), deoiled rice bran (8.26) and mustard oil cake (21.26) among grains, byproducts and oil cakes groups, respectively. In phase-II, forty pregnant Murrah (4 months before parturition) buffaloes were divided into four experimental groups on the basis of parity, previous lactation yield and body weight. The feeding trial was conducted till the date of parturition. Four treatment groups were fed diets as control (MP and ME levels as per ICAR, 2013 requirements), high metabolizable energy (HME, 30% more ME than ICAR 2013 requirements), high metabolizable protein (HMP, 40% more MP than ICAR 2013 requirements) and high metabolizable protein and metabolizable energy (HMEMP, ME level 30% more and 40% more MP than ICAR 2013) ration respectively. Concentrate mixture, green fodder (maize) and dry roughage (wheat straw) were offered to individual animal as per experiment protocol. The DMI (kg/100 kg BW), MEI (Mcal/100 kg BW) and MPI (g/100 kg Body weight) during the prepartum differ significantly among the treatments. The mean MPI (g/100 kg BW), CPI (g/100 kg BW), TDNI (g/100 kg BW) during prepartum duration were 70.88, 74.93, 113.21 and 110.24; 132.62, 130.33, 197.96 and 191.74; and 914.93, 1115.80, 1031.55 and 1118.22 in control, HME, HMP and HMEMP, respectively. A metabolic trial of 7 days duration was carried one month before expected parturition to estimate the nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention of the four experimental diets. DM digestibility was 62.87, 63.21, 66.81 and 68.28 in control, HME, HMP and HMEMP, groups respectively. The digestibility of OM, CP and EE, was 64.96, 65.94, 68.61, 69.72; 55.11, 59.69, 64.00 and 65.14; 67.29, 84.23, 68.32 and 80.79, respectively in control, HME, HMP and HMEMP, groups respectively. CP digestibility was higher (P<0.05) in HMP and HMEMP as compared to that of HME and control groups. The mean N intake, N outgo in faeces and urine, and nitrogen balance were affected by different level of MP and ME in the diet. There was significant change in blood biochemistry including, energy status (gluocse), protein status (total protein, albumin and globulin) ratio of energy and protein (BUN), immune status (IgG) and antioxidant activity (SOD). There was no significant change in liver function test (AST and ALT), kidney function test (creatinine) and lactate dehydrogenase. Average birth weight (kg) of calves was 29.36, 31.44, 33.33 and 36.44 in control, HME, HMP and HMEMP, respectively. The phase –III was again divided into study 1 and study 2. In study 1, Thirty six Murrah buffalo calves obtained from above mentioned groups were divided into four groups and fed as per their dams feeding protocol. The DMI (g/d), CPI (g/d)) and TDNI (g/d) during the preruminant period differ significantly among the treatments. The mean CPI (g/d), TDNI (g/d) during prepartum duration were 160.50, 165.61, 219.22 and 218.61; 741.43, 857.38, 876.22 and 990.98 in control, HME, HMP and HMEMP, respectively. Nutrient intake of CP, TDN and ME was above the ICAR (2013), recommendations in all groups. ADG was significantly high in HMEMP group (462.96 g/d). Digestibility of DM, OM and CP was significantly high HMEMP group. In study 2, Murrah buffalo calves were fed with control, HME, HMP and HMEMP diets from 91-240 days of age. DMI (kg/100 kg body weight) did not differ among different groups. ME intake (Mcal/100 kg body weight) and MP intake (g/100 kg body weight) differ significantly among different groups. The mean ME intake (Mcal/100 kg body weight) and MP intake (g/100 kg body weight) were 6.07, 8.36, 6.26 and 7.95; 243.68, 231.85, 331.77 and 318.06 in control, HME, HMP and HMEMP, respectively. DMI was less than ICAR (2013) recommendations in all experimental groups. Plane of nutrition affected the ADG which was significantly high in HMEMP group (633.85 g/d) however; FCE and FCR were not altered by plane of nutrition in Murrah buffalo calves. Digestibility of DM, OM and CP was significantly high HMEMP group. From the present study it was concluded that feeding 40 % more protein and 30% extra energy (ICAR, 2013) during last 4 months of pregnancy to Murrah buffaloes resulted in higher birth weight of calves. Similarly feeding of calves at higher plane of nutrition improved their growth performance without affecting their health.
