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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access ISOLATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF Staphylococcus aureus FROM BOVINE MILK(AAU, Anand, 1990) Purohit, Jayantilal Hargovind; JHALA, V. M.The present study was undertaken with a view to know the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus In bovine milk In relation to species, managemental conditions, breed, method of milking, parity, stage of lactation and Involvement of the quarters as well as to observe the relationships among the certain characteristics, Including enterotoxigenicIty, of S.aureus. The isolates were also phage typed to know the possible origin. The milk samples were collected from the animals maintained at six different farms comprising of four GAU farms and two private farms. The cows were maintained at four farms whereas buffaloes were maintained at remaining two farms. A total of 925 milk samples (758 from cows and 167 from buffaloes) from the individual quarters of 234 animals comprising of 191 cows and 43 buffaloes were collected and processed for isolation and identification of S.aureus. Of these, 94 quarters (10.16 per cent) of 67 animals (28.63 per cent) revealed the presence of S.aureus. The incidence of S.aureus was more commonly encountered amongst the cows on animal basis (31.94 per cent) as well as on quarter basis (11.35 per cent) than those of buffaloes (13.95 and 4.79 per cent, respectively).ThesisItem Open Access BIOLOGY, POPULATION DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF HELIOTHIS ARMIGERA HUBNER ON IMPORTANT HOST CROPS IN MIDDLE GUJARAT(AAU, Anand, 1993) Mehta, D. M.; Patel, J. R.Investigations on biology, population dynamics and control of H. armigera on important host crops were carried out during 1990-91 and 1991-92 at the Department of Entomology, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand. The effect of larval food was not observed on egg period but larval period was affected. The larval period was shortest on lucerne (Medicaso sativa L.) leaves and longest on chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) leaves. The maximum and minimum larval survival for both the sexes was . on chickpea pods and chickpea leaves respectively. it was reflected on growth index. The pupal duration on chickpea pods was short. The pupae obtained by rearing the H. armigera larvae on lucerne leaves and chickpea pods were big in size and pupation was very shallow. The adults obtained from lucerne leaves had long oviposition period and high fecundity. The life span for both the sexes was longest onchickpea leaves followed by tomato fruits, pigeonpea pods, tomato leaves, chickpea pods and lucerne leaves. The studies on population dynamics of H. armigera on various crops, weeds, medicinal and ornamental plants revealed ovipositional and larval activity during July to April. The correlation of various abiotic factors with U- armigera activity on pigeonpea showed negative correlation between egg density and soil temperature. Negative and positive association of minimum temperature, vapour pressure and soil temperature was observed with oviposition on tomato and lucerne, respectivly. On pigeonpea and chickpea larval activity was more influenced by soil temperature, whereas, on lucerne minimum temperature, vapour pressure, and soil temperature influence was observed. Considerable activity of an egg parasitoid Trichogramma spp. was found in the fields of tomato, tobacco and pigeonpea in middle Gujarat during October to December. Preliminary studies on resistance in 21 genotypes and 3 local cultivars of tomato to H. armigera revealed low damage to unriped fruits of Karnataka and Mangala and riped fruits of SL 120, F24C8 and Piersol. Karnataka and Mangala had higher marketable fruit yield than others. The degree of fruit damage by H. armigera was positively related with total soluble sugar and negatively with ascorbic acid. Low ovicidal and high ovipositional deterrent effect of neem seed kernel suspension and margoside was found against H. armigera. The spray application of these two botanicals alone as well as combinations with endosulfan at lower concentration gave effective protection to tomato fruits by preventing the larval activity of H. armigera and gave considerably higher marketable fruit yield. The spray application of neem seed kernel suspension with endosulfan had highest increase in yield and avoided 69.33% loss in marketable fruit yield. The residue of endosulfan in/on tomato fruits was quite below the tolerance limit prescribed by FAO/WHO when tomato crop was sprayed with a mixture of endosulfan 0.035% and neem seed kernel suspension (3%). Among the various recommended insecticides, fenvalerate (0.01%) showed quick and high toxicity to H. armigera larvae. The larvae fed on lucerne had higher susceptibility to all the recommended insecticides than the larvae fed on pigeonpea and chickpea.ThesisItem Open Access PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALE GONADS AND GENITALS IN SURTI BUFFALO (Bubalus bubalis)(AAU, Anand, 1990) Baishya, G.; Vyas, K. N.Prenatal gross and histomorphological development; of the female gonad, oviduct, uterus, cervix, vagina and vestibules were studied utilizing 62 Surti buffalo embryos and foetuses ranging in age from 35 to 305 days (1.5 to 102.5 cm CVR). These specimens were divided into seven different groups viz., 35 to 44 days (1.5 to 3.5 cm CVR, group I ), 45 to 75 days (3.7 to 10.3 cm CVR, group II) , 76 to 95 days (10.5 to 14.7 cm CVR, group III ) , 96 to 115 days (15.0 to 19.2 cm CVR, group IV), 116 to 155 days (19.5 to 36.0 cm CVR, group V), 156 to 210 days (36.5 t o 60.5 cm CVR, group VI) and 211 to 305 days (61.0 to 102.5 cm CVR, group VII). An increase in curved crown-rump length (CVR) of the foetuses, was noticed with the advancement of age. The foetal body weight and combined weight of a l l the genitals revealed different values in different age groups. However, the maximum foetal growth and development, were observed from 240 to 305 days (74.0 to 102.5 cm CVR). The growth pattern of developing finale genitals as a whole in relation to foetal growth rate followed no consistent trend from 67 days (8.5 cm CVR) onwards. The relative growth rate decreased with advancing gestational age except from 240 to 305 days during which it was reverse.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF DIGESTIVE ENZYMES IN PANCREATIC JUICE AND DUODENAL FLUID OF COW CALVES AND BUFFALO CALVES FROM BERTH TO EARLY RUMINANT STAGE(AAU, Anand, 1996) Christi, K. S.; VADODARIA, V. P.Healthy 22 calves (10 cow calves; 12 buffalo calves) maintained at Veterinary college, Anand, with an objective of establishing physico-biochemical profile of pancreatic juice and duodenal fluid from birth to fifteen week of age were studied in relation to different physiological factors like age, feeding and diurnal variations. There is no report of research work carried out simultaneously both in cow calves and buffalo calves as well as on panoreatic juice and duodenal fluid at same age, feeding schedule and for diurnal variations in various parameters. The research data were classified and tested with the help of standard statistical procedures. Work on buffalo calves has not been found reported fluid, therefore the present work provides the basic informations for future research endeavor.ThesisItem Open Access COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GROSS, HISTOLOGICAL, HISTOCHEMICAL AND BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCOMOTORY APPARATUS OF THE BUFFALO AND THE OX(AAU, Anand, 1996) DUBAL, SUBHASH C.; Vyas, K. N.The present study was carried out to investigate and compare the anatomical and the biomechanical characteristics of bones and muscles of forelimbs and hindlimbs of male of Surti buffalo and Kankrej ox (5 to 10 months old calves and 5 years or more old adults, six in number, in each age group of each species). Study on walking gait characteristics were made from the videographs of six live adult animals of each species. The forelimbs of the buffalo were found to bear significantly (P < 0.05) more body weight (57.89 ± 0.82 %) than those of the ox (55.96 ± 1.05 % ). The cortical thickness, bone density and elastic modulus of the bones of the forelimbs, did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from those of the hindlimbs of the animals of both the species within the same age groups. The pooled mean values of the cortical thickness,the bone density and the elastic modulus of the bones of the calves, were significantly (P < 0.05) lower (0.18 ± 0.001 cm; 2281.27 ± 14.21 - 2 kg/cm and 118.37 ± 0.11 kg/cm2, respectively) than those of the adult animals (0.54 ± 0.002 cm, 2510.54 ± 9.28 kg/cm2 and 166.33 ± 0.17 kg/cm2 , respectively). The ultimate compressive and tensile stresses, and ttie strength and stiffness economics, increased significantly with the advancement of the age. Most of the gross anatomical and the biomechanical characteristics of the bones and the muscles studied, increased significantly (P < 0.05) from the calfhood to the adulthood in both the species.ThesisItem Open Access GROWTH PERFORMANCE, FEED EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMICS OF REARING PRE-WEANED LAMBS SUPPLEMENTED WITH NON-CONVENTIONAL CREEP MIXTURES UNDER FEEDLOT SYSTEM(AAU, Anand, 1999) Trivedi, Manojkumar Motibhai; Patel, Ashok M.A twelve week growth trial was conducted on 24 and 21 suckling lambs in Phase I and Phase n, respectively. In both the phases, the lambs were assigned to three dietary treatments on body weight basis when they were 21 days old. In Phase I, the dietary treatments were comprised of conventional (T1) or non-conventional I (T2) or nonconventional II (T3) creep mixtures plus ad libitum mature pasture grass and limited quantity of green NB21 fodder. In Phase II, the lambs were assigned to conventional (T1) or non-conventional III (T2) or non-conventional IV (T3) creep mixtures plus ad libitum jowar hay and limited quantity of green NB21 fodder. Each treatment group had Marwari, Patanwadi and Merino x Patanwadi lambs in both the phases. The lambs were fed individually the allocated creep mixtures and roughages. The dams of all the lambs in both the phases were fed to meet their energy and protein needs as per ICAR (1985) feeding standard. In Phase I, the non-conventional-I (T2) and non-conventional-II (T3) creep mixtures were comprised of Prosopis juliflora pods 23 and 22 per cent, babul pods chuni 14 and 22 per cent and mango seed kernel 16 and 19 per cent. In addition to these, non-conventional-I creep mixture contained GN cake and rice polish each 17 per cent while in non-conventional-II creep mixture boiled Cassia tora seeds (9%) and com steep liquor (15%) were incorporated. In Phase-ll, the non-conventional-IIl (T2) and non-conventionaHV (T3) creep mixtures comprised of Prosopis juliflora pods 24 and 21 per cent, babul pods chuni 12 and 19 per cent and mango seed kernel 18 and 12 per cent. In addition to these, nonconventional- IV creep mixture contained boiled Cassia tora seeds (9%) and com steep liquor (14%). In non-conventional-III creep mixture, the GN cake (18%) and rice polish (15%) were incorporated. In both the phases, the conventional creep mixture (T1) was formulated using maize (43%), GN cake (15%) and rice polish (29%). In all, five creep mixtures formulated to content, mineral mixture'3 per cent and jaggery solution/ molasses 10 per cent. In Phase I, the average daily dry matter intake of solid feeds during the entire experimental period in terms of g/day, per cent of body weight and g/kg W.75 in conventional (T1), non-conventional I (T2) and non-conventional II (T3) groups were recorded as 230.00 ± 50.23, 2.15 ± 0.28 and 38.67 ± 5.86; 228.44 ± 47.52, 2.16 ± 0.25 and 38.66 ± 5.38 and 226.17 ± 47.02, 2.10 ± 0.23 and 37.73 ± 5.17, respectively. The treatment means did not differ significantly from each other. In Phase II, the respective values for T1, T2 and T3 groups were 253.12 ± 50.69, 2.00 ± 0.26 and 37.55 ± 5.58; 261.76 ± 52.72, 2.16 ± 0.29 and 40.06 ± 6.06 and 254.56 ± 52.49, 2.14 ± 0.29 and 39.48 ± 6.10. The treatment means for dry matter intake expressed as per cent of body weight and g/kg W0.75 did not differ significantly.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING PRODUCTION OF CAPRINE EMBRYOS AND THEIR CRYOPRESERVATION TO KNOW PRE AND POST FREEZING MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES(AAU, Anand, 1999) Sarvaiya, Nitesh P.; Pathak, M. M.Totally 30 indigenous goats of Gujarat were superovulated with FoUtropin-V (FSH) and Folligon (PMSG) to see the elfect of gonadotropin during two season ( breeding and non breeding ) to see the effect of season, on superovulatory response, recovery of embryos and quality of embryos. Further to this in the same study effect of onset time for superovulation, duration of SOV oestrus, intensity of superovulation, flushing time and recovery of flushing media on embryo recovery and quality of embryo was also evaluated ctitically. Excellant and good quality embryos were processed for cryopreservation to see the effect of cryopreservation on morphological changes of embryos. An attempt was also made to establish pregnancy by transfering forzen - thawed embryos. Blood samples from donor and recipients were also analysed for hormonal and biochemical parameter. The results revealed that total response was 80 % ( 24 out of 30 ) irrespective of season and treatment. Average time for onset of SOV oestrus was 33.50 ± 5.82 hours with 17.25 :h 0.98 hours as time for duration.ThesisItem Open Access EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON CANINE ZOONOTIC HELMINTHS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO TOXOCARA CANIS(AAU, Anand, 1999) Brahmbhatt, M. N.; Pal, MahendraHelminthological examination of 614 faecal samples from pet dogs attending the O.P.D. of the Clinics of the Veterinary College, Gujarat Agricultural University Campus, Anand was undertaken for a period of 12 months from November 1997 to October 1998. In addition, 115 faecal samples collected from stray dogs in and around the Anand city of Gujarat were also investigated for various helminths. The overall helminth prevalence rate observed in pet dogs was 34.53 per cent with 32.23 per cent in male and 37.85 per cent in female animals. The overall prevalence of helminths in the dogs between the age of 13 to 24 months was significantly higher. No significant difference in the prevalence of helminthic infection in male and female animals within each age group would be recorded. Stray dogs showed the overall prevalence of 41.74 per cent. Monthwise prevalence of parasitic infection in stray dog and pet dog population revealed high prevalence in the months of winter season. The examination of faecal samples from pet as well as stray dogs revealed Ancylostoma caninum (24.59 and 26,96%) and Toxocara canis (9.61 and 19.13%), Dipylidium caninum (2.44 and 3.48%), Toxascahs leonina (1.79 and 2.61%), Uncinaria stetiocephala (1.98 and 2.61%), Echinococais spp. (0.65 and 3.48%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.65 and 1.74%)Diphyllobothrium latum (0.49 and 1.74%), Trichuris vulpis (0.0 and 1.74%) and Spirometra spp. (0.0 and 0.87%)). The infection rate was found almost similar in male and female animals for all the helminths Agcwise distribution of individual helminth did not reveal any definite trend. Monthwise and seasonal distribution of various helminths showed fairly high prevalence for each helminth during winter season followed by summer and monsoon. Single or multiple helminthic infection in pet and stray dog indicated single helminth infection in 28,34 and 21.74 per cent, two species infection in 5.86 and 17.39 per cent and three species infection in only 0.33 and 2.61 per cent samples respectively. Among the various sites of collection, the highest overall prevalence of helminths in stray dogs was observed in the samples from road sides. Epidemiological study of T.canis in pet and stray dog population showed the prevalence of 9.61 and 19.13 per cent, respectively. Monthwise and seasonal prevalence of T.cams in both the canine population was observed higher during the months of November-February and lowest in October. No significant difference was observed in sexwise prevalence of T.cams in pet dogs, and sitewise prevalence of T.canis in stray dogs, however, showed higher prevalence in the samples obtained from playgrounds. The prevalence of T.canis in 504 soil samples collected from various localities revealed overall prevalence rate of 26.39 per cent. Among the various sites of collection, highest prevalence was observed in the soil samples from slum area (45.83%) followed by playgrounds (37.50%)), rural area (27.78%), gardens/public places (26.39%), school compounds (22.22%), liuman dwellings (13 18%) and lowest in samples from road sides (11.11%). Monthwise prevalence of T.canis in soil samples indicated highest prevalence in December (36.09%) and lowest in October (11.90%) and seasonal prevalence showed higher values in winter season (29.17%). Haematological studies following the experimental infection with T.canis in laboratory mice revealed elevated eosinophilic count with peak after 2-3 weeks of postinfection. Higher values were recorded in mice with booster infection. Moderate leucocytosis and slight neutrophilia were observed throughout the study. Gradual decrease of haemoglobin and reduction in PCV was noticed after 24 day post-infection. Histopathological changes in the experimentally inoculated mice were noticed in the liver, muscle, lung, brain, kidney and spleen. The liver, lungs and kidneys showed fatty changes, congestion, cellular infilteration, granuloma formation and necrosis. Meningitis, focal liquefactive necrosis and gliosis were observed in the brain. No significant histopathological lesions were noticed except mild degenerative changes in the cardiac muscles. Seroprevalence study in human serum samples failed to demonstrate antibodies against T.canis in the specified group of persons such as staff members and students of Veterinary College. However, 8.57 per cent serum samples from 70 children showed positive reaction when tested by agar gel precipitation technique. Detailed clinical examination of positive cases showed leucocytosis, eosinophilia, fever, coughing, pneumonia and dyspnoea. Epidemiological investigation indicated that majority of positive cases had the habit of eating soil and history of contact with dogs. Blood smear examination of 159 children for the presence of eosinophilia along with the epidemiological information about the patient collected in a prescribed questionaire format revealed higher percentage of moderate, marked and severe eosinophilia in 0 to 5 year age group, association of dog ownership, poor socio-economic class, geophagia, habit of playing in soil, open school compound, improper personal hygiene and illiterate group with practically no educational background. It was concluded that the overall helminth infection was more prevalent in stray dog population as compared to pet dog population. No significant difference was observed in sex but the significant difference was observed in the various age group. Significantly higher prevalence was noticed in winter season. The prevalence for individual helminth was observed higher in stray dogs with more number of helminth. Single infection was found higher in pet dogs while mixed infection was noticed higher in stray dogs. Prevalence of T.canis was recorded higher in stray dogs as compared to pet dogs. Age group between birth to 4 months was more frequently affected with T.canis. Examination of soil samples for T.canis showed prevalence rate of 26.39 per cent with highest prevalence in soil samples from slum area. Experimental infection in mice is characterized by eosinophilia, and histopathological changes such as congestion, degeneration, cellular infiltration, moderate to marked fatty changes, necrosis and granuloma formation were observed in various organs. Seroprevalence study showed 8.57 per cent prevalence of T.canis antibodies in children who had contact with dog. On blood smear examination, eosinophilia was found as the constant feature in 152 children.ThesisItem Open Access FEEDLOT PERFORMANCE OF WEANER LAMBS ON AZOLLA BASED NON-CONVENTIONAL TOTAL MIXED RATION UNDER INTENSIVE PRODUCTION SYSTEM(AAU, Anand, 1999) Wadhwani, Kishankumar N.; Patel, Ashok M.The growth trial was conducted under feedlot system on twenty one farm born weaner lambs in two phases. The animals were assigned to 3 dietary treatments (T1,T2 and T3) on body weight basis which comprised of conventional (TMR I), non-conventional I (TMR II) and non-conventional II total mixed rations (TMR III) in phase I, the animals were individually fed. In phase II, the lambs were assigned to conventional (TMR I), non-conventional I (TMR IV) and non conventional II total mixed ration (TMR V) and group feeding was followed. Total mixed ration was fed ad lib in order to meet energy and protein requirement of lambs as per ICAR (1985). Each treatment group had Marwari, Patanwadi and Merino x Patanwadi lambs. In phase-I, the TMR I comprised of maize (22 % ) , groundnut cake (15 % ) , rice polish (15 % ) , molasses (10 % ) , mineral mixture (3 %) and urea treated wheat straw (35 %) the non-conventional I (TMR II) and non conventional II (TMR-III) total mixed ration comprised of AzollSy 10 % and 20 %, PJ pods 15 % and 17 % and corn steep liquor 12 % and 15 %, respectively. In addition to these TMR-II contained Rice polish 10 % and GN cake, 5 % to make it isonitrogenous. Both TMR II and TMR III contained same level of molasses, mineral mixture and urea treated wheat straw in TMR I. In phase II, the non conventional T (TMR TV) and non conventional II (TMR V) total mixed rations comprised of Azolla 15 and 25 %, PJ pods 20 and 17 % and corn steep liquor 12 and 15 %, respectively. In addition to these, GN cake to the extent of 5 % was added in TMR IV. The urea treated wheat straw was added at the rate of 35 % in TMR I and TMR IV and 30 % in TMR V. The growth trial lasted for 112 days during which the animals attained live weight acceptable in the local market. In phase I, the average daily dry matter intake during the entire experimental period in terms of g/day, per cent of body weight and g/kg W0.75 in conventional (TMR I), non conventional I (TMR II) and non conventional II (TMR III) groups was recorded as 721.60 ± 75.64, 3.46 ±0.18 and 73.81 ± 4.82, 757.28 ± 35.86, 4.04 ± 0.13 and 84.92 ± 3.26 and 671.63 ± 50.78, 3.80 ± 0.21 and 78.19 ± 4.38, respectively. The treatment means did not differ with each other. In phase II, the respective values for TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V were 642.29 ± 39.82, 3.32 ± 0.08 and 69.48 ± 1.90, 606.14 ± 30.68, 3.46 ± 0.05 and 70.60 ± 1.64 and 598.98 ± 31.14, 3.41 ± 0.07 and 69.78 ± 2.12, respectively. The treatment means were statistically similar. The average daily water intake (ml/day) during the entire experimental period during phase I was 3154.46 ± 327.2, 2735.92 ± 139.54 and 2454.62 ± 161.66 in treatment groups T1, T2 and Ta respectively. In phase II, the corresponding values were 2794.92 ± 254.12, 2662.08 ± 211.10 and 2654.91 ± 233.33 in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V, respectively. The treatment groups in both the phases showed statistically similar values. In phase I, at the end of experimental feeding, the lambs in T1, T2 and T3 groups attained 25.24 ± 1.96, 23.51 ± 1.36 and 21.07 ± 1.12 kg live body weight, respectively. The body weight in all the treatment group did not differ each other but period effect was significant (P < 0.05). In phase II, the live weight was recorded 24.36 i 1.16, 20.34 ± 1.24 and 20.24 ± 1.49 kg in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively. The difference between treatment groups was statistically non significant but period as well as period x treatment interaction was significant (P < 0.05). In phase I, the digestibility coefficient in TMR I, TMR II and TMR III respectively for dry matter (59.58 ± 1.72, 51.60 ± 0.52 and 51.98 ± 0.44), organic matter (67.22 ± 1.49, 63.53 ± 2.40 and 63.69 ± 1.42), crude protein (80.50 ± 1.94, 73.82 ± 1.47 and 73.40 ± 1.76), crude fibre (62.27 ± 0.87, 63.18 ± 1.32 and 59.10 ± 1.37), nitrogen free extract (60.37 ± 0.70, 57.48 ± 1.42 and 57.22 ± 1.64) and ether extract (58.82 ± 0.80, 59.69 ± 1.79 and 55.73 ± 1.57) were ascertained. The dry matter and crude protein digestibility of the TMR I differed significantly (P < 0.05) with TMR II and TMR III groups. In phase II, the corresponding values for dry matter (61.76 ± 2.10 , 53.27 ± 0.72 and 52.35 ± 0.99), organic matter (68.37 ± 1.17, 59.66 ± 2.09 and 59.61 ± 2.22), crude protein (79.94 ± 2.12, 78.54 ± 2.04 and 74.56 ± 1.58) crude fibre (61.85 ± 1.01, 63.44 ± 1.98 and 57.66 ± 2.01), nitrogen free extract (62.71 ± 0.77, 57.87 ± 2.26 and 53.08 ± 1.68) and ether extract (60.01 ± 0.71, 58.70 ± 1.37 and 56.20 ± 0.96) was recorded. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter organic matter and nitrogen free extract was significantly (P < 0.06) higher for TMR I than either of TMR IV or TMR V group. In phase I, the nitrogen balance (g/head/day) was 9.98 ± 0.40, 9.66 ± 0.28 and 8.70 ± 0.46 in lambs reared on T1, T2 and Ta rations, respectively. The treatment means did not differ significantly. In phase II, the respective values were 9.81 ± 0.50, 10.06 ± 0.28 and 12.21 ± 0.21 in lambs reared on TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively TMR I and TMR IV did not differ significantly but differ from TMR V. In phase I, the TMR I, TMR II and TMR III provided 13.52 ± 0.42, 11.34 ± 0.36 and 10.62 ± 0.13 per cent DCP and 61.81 ± 0.32, 57.72 ± 1.92 and 55.90 ± 0.55 per cent TDN, respectively. The conventional TMR provided significantly (P < 0.05) higher DCP and TDN than both the non conventional groups which did not differ among themselves. In phase II, the TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V provided 13.32 ± 0.34, 11.48 ± 0.30 and 11.10 ± 0.18 per cent DCP and 61.88 ± 0.23, 58.13 ± 2.11 and 55.48 ± 1.04 per cent TDN. The treatment means showed similar trend as that in phase I. In phase I, the dressing percentage on live weight basis and as the percentage of empty live weight under Ti (50.40 ± 0.83 and 59.63 ± 1.11) T2 (48.51 ± 1.05 and 61.89 ± 1.32) and T3 (48.08 ± 1.20 and 62.33 ± 1.06) group of lambs were calculated. In phase II, the corresponding figures were 47.5 ± 1.07 and 59.38 ± 1.11, 49.34 ± 1.12 and 62.93 ± 1.27 and 47.89 ± 1.03 and 59.96 ± 1.22 in TMR I TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively. Similar was the trend with respect to primal cuts and edible and non edible organ weight. The feed efficiency in terms of DM, DCP and TDN intake (kg/kg live weight gain) in experimental lambs reared under TMR I, TMR II and TMR III groups was worked out as 8.10 ± 0.98, 1.11 ± 0.09 and 5.09 ± 0.45, 10.90 ± 0.87, 1.14 ± 0.07 and 5.82 ± 0.36 and 13.16 ± 1.1, 1.35 ± 0.13 and 7.13 ± 0.70, respectively. The feed efficiency in terms of DM intake was significantly (P < 0.05) high in conventional group as compared to non conventional groups which did not differ among themselves, but the treatment groups did not differ with respect to DCP and TDN intake per kg live weight gain. In phase IT, the respective values were 7.07 ± 0.97, 0.99 and 4,60, 12.56 ± 1,72 1.25 and 6.34 and 14.96 ± 3.44, 1.28 and 6.44 in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V, respectively. The feed cost (Rs/animal) during the experiment was worked out as 623.55 ± 64.09, 352.50 ± 22.06 and 256.96 ± 16.42 for TMR I, TMR II and TMR III group, respectively. Both, TMR II and TMR III groups recorded significantly (P < 0.05) lower cost as compared to TMR I group. The total feed cost (pre experimental ± experimental) was worked out as Rs. 863.55 ± 64.09, 592.50 ± 22.06 and 496.96 ± 16.42 for T1 , T2 and T3 treatment groups, respectively. In phase IT, the experimental feed cost (Rs/animal) for TMR T, TMR IV and TMR V group was worked out as 472,82, 261.52 and 246.21 and the total feed cost (pre-experimental ± experimental) was Rs. 712.82, 501,52 and 486.21 per lamb. The trend of feed cost was same as in the phase I. Based on the enquiries from the retailers in the local market, the total realisable receipts (Rs/animal) in phase I were computed as 1292.15 ± 90.04, 1177.00 ± 60.48 and 1059.38 ± 49.32 respectively for TMR I, TMR II and TMR III group. The TMR I recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher receipt than the other groups. The feed cost per kg dressed weight worked out as Rs. 67.01 ± 0.86, 52.46 ± 1.84 and 51.04 ± 2.03 for TMR I, TMR II and TMR III group, respectively. The TMR II and TMR III groups recorded significantly (P < 0.05) lower feed cost per kg dressed weight when compared to conventional, though they did not differ from each other. In phase II, respective figures for TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V were 1133.89 ± 47.45, 1039.09 ± 57.48 and 1009.42 ± 68.32. The feed cost per kg dressed weight was calculated as 61.60, 49.95 and 48.72 for TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V, respectively. The contribution of experimental feed cost/kg dressed weight in phase I was Rs. 47.64, 31.02 and 28.35 in TMR I, TMR II and TMR III groups respectively. The TMR I group recorded significnalty (P < 0.05) higher contribution as compared to other groups. In phase II, the cost worked out as Rs. 40.86, 26.04 and 24.67 in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively. The returns as per cent of feed cost in phase I was calculated as 150.12 ± 2.46, 198.59 ± 6.64 and 213.57 ± 9.31 for TMR I, TMR II and TMR III group respectively and the values were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in non conventional groups as compared to TMR I group In phase II, the respective average values were 155.09, 207.18 and 207.60 for TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V group. During 06-18 hours of the day 75.05, 76.42 and 73.93 % of the total was feed consumed by the lambs in TMR I, TMR IV and TMR V groups, respectively.