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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 PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC IDENTIFICATION AND METAGENOMIC ANALYSIS OF SUBCLINICAL MASTITIC PATHOGENS IN COWS(AAU, Anand, 2011) BHANDERI, BHARAT BABUBHAI; Jhala, M. K.Subclinical mastitis occurs with no visible changes in the appearance of the milk and/or the udder, but milk production decreases which leads to economic losses to the farmers and dairy industry. There are many microbial pathogens involved in causing subclinical mastitis in cows. The present study was undertaken to know incidences of subclinical mastitis in organized farms using Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and bacteriological examination (International Dairy Federation-IDF guidelines), California Mastitis Test (CMT) and impregnated pH strip test followed by characterization and PCR based detection of important mastitic pathogens. Metagenomic analysis of subclinical mastitis milk was also done to determine the complex microbial diversity in udder environment during subclinical mastitis. A total of 349 quarters of 89 lactating cows comprising 31 Triple cross (TP) (Kankrej x Jersey x Holstein Friesian), 29 Kankrej, 17 Gir and 12 Holstein Friesian (HF) affiliated with Anand Agricultural University, Anand were screened for subclinical mastitis. Overall 52.8 per cent (47/89) cows were found to be positive for subclinical mastitis infection in one or more quarters. The highest incidence of subclinical mastitis was found in Triple cross cows (74.19%), followed by Gir cows (58.82%), HF cows (50%) and Kankrej cows (27.58%). Overall quarter wise incidence for subclinical mastitis was found to be 30.66 per cent (107/349). The highest incidence was found in Gir cows (38.80%) followed by Triple cross cows (38.08), HF cows (33.33%) and Kankrej cows (15.04%). The highest incidence of subclinical mastitis was found in fore left quarter (28.03%), followed by hind left quarter (27.1%), fore right quarter (24.29%) and hind right quarter (20.56%). Of the 47/107 cows/quarters positive for subclinical mastitis, 39/47 (82.97%) cows and 82/107 (76.63%) quarters were also positive by CMT and 27/47 (57.44%) cows and 56/107 (52.33%) quarters were positive by impregnated pH strip test. Cultural isolation ft'om 107 subclinically positive quarter milk samples yielded 126 bacterial isolates. Staphylococci was the most predominant bacterial species accounting for 53.97 per cent (68/126) of all the isolates, followed by 21.43 per cent (27/126) CAMP (Christie-Atkins-Munch-Peterson) test positive Str. agalactiae, 18.25 per cent (23/126) Micrococci, 4.77 per cent (6/126) E. coli and 1.58 per cent (2/126) Bacillus species. Out of 68 Staphylococci isolates, 38 (55.89%) isolates showed fermentation on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA), whereas 30 (44.11%) isolates were mannitol non fermentive. Of the total 30 S. aureus identified by PCR, 21 (70%) were mannitol fermentive and 9 (30%) mannitol non fermentive. Thirty one (45.58%)) Staphylococci were found to be positive for pigment production, whereas 37 (54.42%) isolates produced white colonies on nutrient agar. Forty eight (70.58%) isolates were found positive for coagulase reaction, whereas 20 (29.41%) were negative. Thirty one (45.58%)) isolates exhibited P haemolysin production, 4 (5.89%) a haemolysin and 33 (48.53%)) isolates were non-haemolytic on 5 per cent Sheep blood agar. Phage typing at National Staphylococci Phage typing Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, using five phage group sets of International Basic Set of 23 phages revealed maximum number of the Staphylococci isolates lysed by group II 14 (82.35%), followed by groups III, Not alloted (NA), I and V with 12 (70.58%), 9 (52.94%), 5 (29.23%) and, 2 (11.76%) respectively. Maximum 11 (64.7%) isolates were lysed with phage number 47 with strong reaction, followed by 10 (58.82%)) isolates with phage numbers 42E and 81, while less effective phage numbers were 71 and 94, which lysed only one strain (5.89% each) and phage number 95 not giving strong reaction with any of the isolates. The methicillin and oxacillin antibiotic sensitivity pattern by disc diffusion method revealed that, all the 68 (100%)) Staphylococci isolates were sensitive. Serotyping of six E. coli isolates (at National Salmonella and Escherichia Centre, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh for 'O' antigen) resulted in identifying 014, O20, 045, 055 and 0112 serotypes, while one isolate was untypeable (UT). Out of 68 Staphylococci isolates tested for identification of 5. aureus by PCR, 30 isolates were identified as S. aureus by obtaining amplification product of 1318bp using S. aureus specific primer for 23S rRNA. Out of 30 PCR positive S. aureus, 18 (60%)) were positive and rest were negative for coagulase test. All the 27 Streptococci isolates were identified as Str. agalactiae by amplifying 586bp product using Str. agalactiae specific primer for the 16S rRNA while, none were amplified for Str. dysgalactiae (401bp) and Str. uteris (94bp) based on primers specific for the 16S rRNA and 23 S rRNA respectively. All the six E. coli isolates yielded 232bp amplified product using E. coli specific primer targeting DNA sequence coding for the 23 S rRNA. Metagenomic analysis (using GS FLX 454 Life Sciences) of DNA of subclinical mastitis milk sample of TP, Kankrej and Gir cows yielded an out put of 274190 bp, 17,727 bp, 42,548 bp and 1,960, 170, 301 contigs respectively. Average fragment length obtained were 139.89, 104.28 and 141.36 bp for TP, Kankrej and Gir cows respectively. The longest sequence length was 560, 327 and 454 bp, while shortest sequence length was 40, 40, and 41 bp for TP, Kankrej and Gir cows respectively. A total of 54 (2.76%), 39 (22.94%) and 12 (3.99%) sequences for TP, Kankrej and Gir cows respectively could be matched to proteins in SEED subsystems of MG-RAST (Meta Genome Rapid Annotation with Subsystem Technology) (using an e-value cut-off of le-5). Metagenomic analysis of the three breeds identified bacterial organisms belonging to phyla (5), class (8), Subclass / order (15), Family (19), Genus (23) and species (28); of these, 19 genera and 26 species, many of which were fastidious/anaerobic organisms, were identified additionally than the cultural methods. Out of five genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus and Escherichia detected in the subclinical mastitis milk samples of TP, Gir and Kankrej breeds by culture based methods, four genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus and Escherichia were also identified in the corresponding pyrosequencing data, while Micrococcus identified by culture based methods was not found in the pyrosequencing data. In pyrosequencing, over all 28 bacterial species were identified from all the three breeds of cows viz. Leifsonia xyli, Propionibacterium acnes, Streptomyces coelicolor, Chlamydophila abortus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus mitis, Burkholderia cenocepacia, Burkholderia cepacia, Ralstonia solanacearum, Nitrosomonas europaea, Pseudoalteromonas atlantica. Salmonella Dublin, Serratia marcescens, Azotobacter vinelandii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas mendocina, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii. Aster yellows witches'-broom phytoplasma, Pannbaculum lavamentivorans, Thermosipho melanesiensis, Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli, Shigella hoydii and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Of these, except S. aureus and E. coli, all were additionally identified than the culture based method but, Str. agalactiae identified by cultural method was not found in the pyrosequencing data. The role of lesser known or less frequently involved organisms as identified by metagenomic analysis may be further explored in future so as to understand the complete etiopathology of subclinical mastitis in cows.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF DECAPITATION AND PGR's ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF CLUSTER BEAN SEED (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.) CV. PUSA NAVBAHAR(AAU, Anand, 2010) NARSHI, SATODIYA BAKUL; Patel, H. C.A field experiment was conducted at Main Vegetable Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during the years 2008-09 and 2009-10 in summer seasons on sandy loam soil with a view to study the "Influence of decapitation and PGR's on growth, yield and quality of cluster bean seed (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.) cv. Pusa Navbahar" under middle Gujarat conditions. There were twenty one treatment combinations comprising three decapitation treatments i.e. D1-Without decapitation (control), D2-Decapitation at 70 DAS and Ds-Decapitation at 85 DAS and seven different PGR's treatments along with control i.e. G1 -Water spray (Control), G2-NAA 20 mg/l, G3-NAA 40 mg/l, G4-GA3 20 mg/l, G5-GA3 40 mg/l, G6-Thiourea 500 mg/l and G7-Thiourea 1000 mg/l in a Randomized Block Design (Factorial) with three replications. Growth parameters viz. plant height and number of leaves per plant were found non-significant at 30 and 60 DAS. Whereas, without decapitation (control) treatment recorded significantly the highest plant height i.e. 112.07 and 115.72 cm and number of leaves per plant i.e. 50.70 and 45.15 at 90 DAS and harvest stage, respectively. The effects of decapitation on physiological parameters viz. LA, LAI, CGR, NAR and dry weight of plant were found non-significant at 30 and 60 DAS whereas, at 90 DAS all the physiological parameters and at harvest only LA and dry weight of plant recorded significantly, higher values in control treatment (Without decapitation). Decapitation of plant at 70 DAS registered significantly the highest number of pods per cluster (7.55), number of clusters per plant (18.29), number of pods per plant (138.00) and weight of 1000 seeds (37.00 g) in pooled analysis. However, dry pod length (9.59 cm) and number of seeds per pod (7.05 cm) were found maximum in treatment decapitation at 85 DAS. Decapitation of plant at 70 DAS produced significantly the highest seed yield (917.7 kg/ha) in pooled analysis as compared to without decapitation (889.13 kg/ha), which was 9.26 % higher than without decapitation. Root and shoot ratio (0.057) and harvest index (627.04) were also found significantly superior in treatment decapitation at 70 DAS. Seed quality parameters viz. seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour index-I and II were recorded the highest values in treatment decapitation at 70 DAS at 6th 8th and at 10th day on pooled basis. Plant growth regulators treatments significantly influenced growth parameters viz. plant height and number of leaves per plant at various growth stages of crop except at 30 DAS. At 60, 90 DAS and harvest stage treatment GA3 40 mg/l recorded significantly maximum plant height and number of leaves per plant as compared to rest of treatments. Physiological parameters viz. LA, LAI, NAR and dry weight of plant at 60 and 90 DAS registered significantly the higher values in treatment GA3 40 mg/l in pooled analysis. At harvest, LA, LAI and dry weight had recorded significantly maximum values in treatments Thiourea 500 mg/l and GA3 40 mg/l which remained at par with each other. Yield attributing characters viz. number of pods per cluster (7.25), number of clusters per plant (18.75), number of pods per plant (136.01), dry pod length (9.86 cm) and weight of 1000 seeds (37.22 g) were significantly the highest in treatment Thiourea 500 mg/l on pooled basis. The significantly maximum seed yield was recorded by the treatment Thiourea 500 mg/l (1030.36 kg/ha) in pooled analysis, which was at par with treatment GA3 20 mg/l (992.81 kg/ha) which was 26.67 and 22.05 %, higher than control, respectively. The treatment GA3 20 mg/l recorded the highest harvest index (638.80). Seed quality parameters viz. germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight and vigour index-I and II were recorded the maximum values in treatments of GA3 and Thiourea at all the three stages i.e. 6th, 8th and 10thday. Interaction effects between decapitation and PGR's treatments on growth parameters viz., plant height and number of leaves per plant showed significant differences at 60, 90 DAS and harvest stage except for number of leaves per plant at harvest. Different combination of decapitation and PGR's treatments recorded significant results on physiological parameters at various growth stages viz. LA, LAI, CGR, NAR and dry weight of plant. At 60 and 90 DAS LA, LAI, NAR and dry weight of plant recorded significant results in different combinations except CGR at 60 DAS. At harvest stage, CGR, NAR and dry weight of plant were found significant due to interaction between decapitation and PGR's treatments. At all the growth stages, interaction between without decapitation and treatments of GA3 and Thiourea recorded significantly higher values of all the physiological parameters. Yield attributing parameters viz. number of seeds per pod and weight of 1000 seeds significantly affected by interaction between decapitation and PGR's treatments which, were the highest in combinations D'aGe (8.20) and D2G6 (41.40 g), respectively. Seed quality parameters like, seedling length, seedling dry weight and vigour index-I and II recorded the maximum values in combinations of decapitation at 70 DAS with treatments of GA3 and Thiourea at all the three stagesi.e. 6th 8th and10th day. The higher net return of 47,849 Rs./ha along with B.C.R. of 1: 2.60 was obtained by decapitation at 70 DAS, whereas, the lowest net realization (41,935 Rs. /ha) and B.C.R. (1:2.43) was obtained when plant decapited at 85 DAS. The treatment Thiourea 500 mg/l recorded the maximum net realization of Rs. 52,277 per hectare with 1:2.73 B.C.R., followed by treatment GA3 20 mg/l.ThesisItem Open Access MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF ROSE GROWERS(AAU, Anand, 2010) PATEL, DHARMENDRAKUMAR D.; Patel, B. B.The recent advances in rose production technology have demonstrated that scientific management has great potential for increasing the rose production. Therefore, raising management efficiency is of paramount importance for rose producer. This will open up new vistas and make possible for rose growers to achieve substantial gains in income. There are number of factors affecting the rose production. Management is one of the most important factors which help the rose growers to exploit natural resources and accumulate capital. The efficient use of resources depends to a greater extent on how rose growers acquire and adopt innovations in the rose cultivation in effective manner to reach higher levels of economic performance through their management efficiency. The present study on "MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF ROSE GROWERS" was undertaken with following specific objectives: 1. To know the profile of rose growers 2. To study the management efficiency of rose growers 3. To ascertain the relationship of personal, social, economical, communicational and psychological characteristics with management efficiency of rose growers 4. To know the extent of contribution of selected independent variables on dependent variable of rose growers 5. To study the direct and indirect effect of the independent variables on the management efficiency of rose growers 6. To analyze the constraints faced by rose growers regarding various aspects of rose production The present study was undertaken in Dholka taluka of Amdavad district of Gujarat state. There are 71 villages of Dholka taluka. Out of these, six villages were selected based on specific criteria. These selected villages were considered as stratum and with the help of proportional allocation method sample size of each stratum was determined. A random sampling procedure was adopted for the selection of respondents from the selected villages. Thus, total 127 rose growers were selected randomly. The Ex-post-facto research design was followed. A scale was developed to measure the management efficiency of rose growers. The dependent and independent variables were measured with appropriate scales and procedures adopted by other research workers. To measure the knowledge level regarding improved rose cultivation practices and attitude towards improved rose cultivation practices, tests were developed by the investigator. An interview schedule was developed in accordance with the objectives of the study and it was pre-tested and translated into Gujarati. The data of this study were collected through personal interview. The statistical measures such as percentage, mean, standard deviation, co-efficient of correlation, stepwise multiple regressions, standard partial regression coefficient and path analyses were used. MAJOR FINDINGS The important findings of the study are as under: 1. PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENTS 1.1 PERSONAL CHARACTERISTIC Majority of the rose growers had middle age (72.44 per cent), at least primary education level (83.50 per cent) and medium level of experience in rose cultivation (63.80 per cent). 1.2 SOCIAL CHARACTERISTIC Nearly three-fifth (57,50 per cent) of the rose growers had large family size. 1.3 ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS More than three-fourth (77.16 per cent) of the respondents possess up to 2.00 hectares of land and a great majority (84.25 per cent) of the rose growers had above 35.00 per cent of their total land under rose cultivation. 1.4 COMMUNICATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS Majority (83.46 per cent) of the rose growers had medium to low level of participation in training programme, more than fourfifth (81,10 per cent) of the rose growers had medium to high level of contacts with extension agencies and more than three-fourth (77.95 per cent) of the rose growers possessed medium to high level of exposure to mass media. 1.5 PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS Majority (74.80 per cent) of the rose growers had medium to high level of economic motivation, three-fourth (75.59 per cent) of them had medium to high degree of risk orientation, four-fifth (81.10 per cent) of them had medium to high level of achievement motivation, a great majority (89.76 per cent) of them had medium to high level of aspiration, majority (77.95 per cent) of them had medium to high level of innovative proneness, a great majority (85.83 per cent) of them had medium to high level of cosmopoliteness, a great majority (85.83 per cent) of them had medium to high level of competition orientation and a great majority (85.04 per cent) of them had medium to high level of self confidence. 2. MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY AND ITS COMPONENTS OF ROSE GROWERS 2.1 MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF ROSE GROWERS Slightly more than two-third (68.50 per cent) of the rose growers had medium level of management efficiency, while 16.54 per cent of the rose growers had high level of management efficiency and 14.96 per cent of the rose growers had low level of management efficiency. 2.2 VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF ROSE GROWERS Slightly more than four-fifth (81.10 per cent) of the rose growers had medium to high level of knowledge about improved rose cultivation practices, more than four-fifth (85.83 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of attitude towards improved rose cultivation practices, three-fourth (75.59 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of ability in planning in rose cultivation, slightly less than four-fifth (79.53 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level, of ability to make rational decision, majority (83.47 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of timely adoption, majority (85.04 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of ability to mobilize resources, more than four-fifth (85.04 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of ability to co-ordinate activities, slightly less than three-fourth (74.02 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of efficient use of resources, majority (84.25 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of ability in rational marketing and slightly less than three-fourth (73.23 per cent) of the respondents had medium to high level of competence in evaluation. 3. RELATIONSHIP OF PERSONAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMICAL, COMMUNICATIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS WITH MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF THE ROSE GROWERS Out of eighteen independent variables, sixteen viz.; education, experience in rose cultivation, land under rose cultivation, participation in training programme, contact with extension agency, exposure to mass media, economic motivation, risk orientation, achievement motivation, level of aspiration, scientific orientation, innovative proneness, cosmopoliteness, competition orientation and self confidence were positively and significantly related, while age is negatively and significantly related to management efficiency of the rose growers. 4. EXTENT OF CONTRIBUTION OF SELECTED INDEPENDENT VARIABLES ON THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE OF THE ROSE GROWERS Management efficiency was found to be predicted by nine independent variables such as participation in training, scientific orientation, cosmopoliteness, risk orientation, education, land under rose cultivation, level of aspiration, innovative proneness and experience in rose cultivation, which has together contributed 75.80 per cent of the total variation in the management efficiency of the rose growers. 5. DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECT OF THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLES ON MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY OF THE ROSE GROWERS Participation in training programme of the respondents was the key variable in exerting considerably direct and substantial effect on management efficiency. Education and scientific orientation were the major traits in determination of management efficiency through positive indirect effect. Whereas, age of the respondents is only character which negatively and indirectly influenced on management efficiency. 6. CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE ROSE GROWERS REGARDING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ROSE PRODUCTION The most important constraints faced by the rose growers regarding various aspects of rose cultivation were: Fluctuation in prices of roses, non-availability of labours for various rose cultivation practices, high cost of inputs, commission rates of agents very high, weed problem, high cost of transportation, lack of technical guidance at proper time, natural calamites/flood and lack of marketing facility near by village.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF ENZYME SUPPLEMENTATION IN LAYER DIETS ON EGG PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF TWO STRAINS OF WHITE LEGHORN CHICKEN(AAU, Anand, 2011) Patel, Atulkumar Babubhai; Khanna, KuldeepExperimental population included "FWN" and "IWP" strains of White Leghorn type laying hens of seventh generation. 360 pedigreed females of IWN strain and 360 pedigreed females of IWP strain were used for the experiment. Various traits required for present study were measured at different periods of age. As dietary energy level was increased, body weight (BW) was increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 40, 64 and 72 weeks of age. Energy levels (2400, 2550 and 2700 kcal ME) did not affect total egg number produced per bird (TEN) significantly. As dietary energy level was increased, total feed consumption per bird (TFC) and feed consumed per egg produced (FCE) was decreased significantly (P< 0.05) at 40, 64 and 72 weeks of age. Values of feed cost per egg produced (ECOST) differed significantly (P< 0.05) at 2400, 2550 and 2700 kcal ME levels. Different energy levels did not affect egg weight [EW] at 40 [EW40] and 64 [EW64] weeks of age significantly. EW72 at 2400 kcal ME level differed significantly (P< 0.05) from EW72 at 2550 and 2700 kcal ME levels. Enzyme supplementation in layer diet lowered the BW in enzyme group than control group which was non significant. TEN was increased Avlth enzyme supplementation in layer diet but it was non significant. Enzyme supplementation had significantly (P< 0.05) reduced TFC64, TFC72, FCE64 and ECOST64. There was non significant reduction in EW in enzyme group. Effects of energy levels and enzyme supplementation were found non significant for BW. Effects of same were found significant (P< 0.05) for TEN64 and TEN72 at 2550 kcal ME level, whereas effects of same were found non significant for TEN40. Effects of energy levels and enzyme supplementation were found significant (P< 0.05) for TFC40 at 2400 and 2550 kcal ME levels but it was non significant for TFC64 and TFC72. At 2400, 2550 and 2700 kcal ME levels; TFC64 and TFC72 were lower in enzyme group than control group. Effects of same were found significant (P< 0.05) for FCE64, ECOST64 and ECOST72 at 2550 kcal ME level. Effects of same were found non significant for EW. Effects of strain of layer birds and energy levels were found non significant for BW, TEN, TFC, FCE, ECOST and EW. Effects of strain of layer birds and enzyme supplementation were found non significant for BW, TEN, TFC and EW. Effects of same were found significant (P< 0.05) for FCE64 and ECOST64 in IWP strain, whereas effects were non significant in IWN strain. Effects of strain of layer birds, energy levels and enzyme supplementation were found non significant for BW, TEN, TFC, FCE, ECOST and EW. Birds fed 2400 kcal ME/kg diet along with enzyme supplementation gave higher values of retention coefficient for dry matter, crude protein, organic matter and calcium in comparison to the same diet when fed without enzyme supplementation. Results observed from present study are in favour of enzyme supplementation in layer diet for better production performance in IWN and IWP strains. Results obtained also indicate that economical rearing of layer birds can be done with low energy (2400 kcal ME/kg) layer diets without significantly affecting production performance of IWN and IWP strains as compared with 2550 and 2700 kcal ME/kg layer diets. Enzyme supplementation can also be useful for better nutrient utilization by layer birds of IWN find IWP strains with low energy (2400 kcal ME/kg) layer diets.ThesisItem Open Access CLINICAL STUDIES ON ETIOPATHOLOGY AND MEDICO SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT GENITAL PROLAPSE IN COWS(AAU, Anand, 2011) BADGUJAR, CHANDRAVADAN LAXMAN; TANK, P. H.Incidences of pertparturient cervico-vaginal prolapse (CVP) have been recorded in dairy cows all over the world by many workers. However, rarely there has been a mention of cases of chronic prolapse occurring beyond three months of parturition. On the contrary, it was experienced to be occurring in high number in the Gaushalas and Panjarapoles of Gujarat. A majority of the affected cows were from Gir or Kankrej breeds and their crosses. They had suffered repeated episodes of the problem. Conventional methods of treatment were unsuccessful to address this problem. Hence, a clinical study was undertaken to evaluate various aspects of CVP including medicosurgical management by different approaches in 46 cows of Gaushalas and Panjarapoles in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. A novel method of 100 point score for each character was evolved to assess the health of cow and severity of prolapse. The cows that fell in the range of aggregate points between 0-25, were graded as Grade-I; between 26-50, graded as Grade-II; between 51-75, graded as Grade-Ill, and cows with score from 75-100, were graded as Grade-IV. None of the cases under study fall in the Grade I category. The cases of Grade-II were subjected to surgical treatment utilizing Technique No. 1 (Fixation to prepubic tendon) or No. 2 (Button suture fixation). Cases falling under the Grade-Ill were treated with the use of surgical Technique No. 3 (Amputation of prolapsed mass) or No. 4 (Submucosal resection of vagina). In cases of Grade-Ill, the cows that had irreducible adhesions of the prolapsed mass or abnormalities of os cervix in the form of kinked, hardened, fibrosed or extensive enlarged cervix were subjected to Technique No. 3 (Amputation of prolapsed mass). Cases of Grade-III that had less changes of the os cervix as mentioned but had more of vaginal proliferation and fibrosis were subjected to Technique No. 4 (Submucosal resection of vagina). The cases of Grade-IV were put to treatment by Technique No. 5 (Pervaginum Panhysterectomy). These cases were advanced, unmanageable, highly suffering and with non-viable appearance of prolapse. Those cows which showed ovarian abnormalities were subjected to Technique No. 6 (Pervaginum Bilateral ovariectomy). They came in Grade II prolapse. After supportive therapy, anaesthesia was performed in the form of caudal epidural analgesia and pudendal nerve block under xylazine sedation. Appropriate surgical treatment was applied to each cow. The 46 affected cows were grouped as per the surgical technique provided from Group 1 to VI. In Group I to V, eight cases were operated, while in Group VI, six cases were operated. In addition to this, blood and serum samples were collected for comparison, from eight healthy lactating normal cows as a control group. For fixation of vagina to prepubic tendon, insertion of the needle in the prepubic tendon required lot of skill to retrieve the needle back between the main and lateral branch of the prepubic tendon. Although this technique appeared very promising, the entire procedure was to be performed blindly only by palpation in the cul-de-sac of vagina. In view of a limited bite in tlie vaginal floor and the prepubic tendon, the chances of rupture of the suture or the tearing of the vaginal wall could not be overlooked. Considering the complexity in execution, this technique is recommended only in the hands of an experienced worker. Button suture fixation was used on 8 cows. Commercially available suture needle (triangular and straight needle No.l) worked satisfactorily to put these sutures. Since the vaginal insertion of the suture was preplaced on the prolapsed mass, there was adequate visibility and a very little haemorrhage occurred in the placement of the suture. Amputation of prolapsed mass was easy in this technique as the entire mass was presented at the vulva for handling. However, due to the large size and irreparable changes in the vagina and the cervix, the wall of the organ was considerably thick making it difficult to cut. Submucosal resection of vagina was fairly simple than amputation. As the surgical dissection was restricted only to the submucosa of the exposed portion, haemorrhage from the dissection was comparatively less. Since the technique did not involve extensive dissection or ligation of blood vessels, the procedure could be completed in comparatively lesser time. In cases of per vaginum panhysterectomy, the dorsal wall of the vagina bled considerably. Further dissection for the uterine junction and ovarian stumps had to be done blindly by palpation with fingers. It was felt necessary to put two ligatures on the stump to ensure complete obliteration of the ovarian blood vessels. After having completed this procedure, small length of vagina was left behind so that there was no chance of recurrence of prolapse. Per vaginum bilateral ovariectomy was performed in the similar manner as in pervaginum panhysterectomy. The uterus and cervix were left intact. For performing the ovariectomy, a specially designed Richards' ovariotome was used to crush the ovarian blood vessels and to cut the pedicle. Suturing of the vaginal incision (colpotomy) did not pose major problem and the entire surgery could be completed in 20 to 30 minutes. In Group 1 and II, recurrence of prolapse was noted in one cow each due to rupture of sutures. In one more case of group II, pyometra was noted due to foreign body i.e. buttons. In Group III, all the animals showed mild to moderate bleeding from vagina .and mild straining. This was treated by local infusion of Betadine solution and application of Ceftriaxone powder. This bleeding disappeared towards 7-8 days and effectively stopped at 10 days. One cow showed recurrence of prolapse. In Group IV, minor haemorrhage through vagina was noted in all the cases for 1 or 2 post-operative days. All the animals recovered uneventfully, except one cow that suffered prolapse at 24th post-operative day. In Group V, all the animals, except one cow, showed slight haemorrhage for a period of 3 to 4 days followed by slight mucous discharge for next 3 to 4 days, but recovered uneventfully by 15 days. Prepubic tendon fixation and Button suture fixation were performed in those cows where the prolapse was mild to moderate type (Grade II) with no complications like oedema, necrosis, gangrene and other secondary complications like maggots infestation. As such these two techniques were useful in conserving the genitalia. However, button suture fixation method was preferred to address the clinical condition. Two cows treated with button fixation technique conceived subsequently. Thus, these animals would have become useful for reproduction in future. Submucmosal resection was comparatively easier to perform and resulted into less serious haemorrhage. In those cases where the changes in the prolapsed organ appeared irreversible, it was decided to remove entire reproductive tract per vaginum (Panhysterectomy). This surgical technique also was quite demanding owing to large number of engorged blood vessels in the dissection. Per vaginum bilateral ovariectomy was reserved for those cases where ovarian changes were marked. It was postulated that the prolapse was primarily due to ovarian dysfunction. This was proved when the ovariectomy was performed and the prolapse was repositioned. No recurrence was noted in any of the six cases until eight days. However, this procedure was performed in ox cases and only had moderate Grade II prolapse. Therefore it requires further study. Haemato-biochemical and serum endocrinological assessment paved a clinical way of understanding the etiopathology, stress and therapeutic resolution of this complex malady in cows by contemplating the findings to the clinical merits of the cases retrospectively. Various micro organisms were isolated from the vaginal swabs from these cows. Antibiotic sensitivity test indicated that Ceftriaxone and Enrofloxacin were both effective against these organisms while Amoxirum was not as effective. Urinalysis can be used as one indictor to assess pre-operative status and effect of surgical treatment. Histopathological studies of genital tissue on surgical removal in Group I and II, did not show significant lesions while Group III, IV and V cases revealed, variable degrees of inflammatory lesions, characterized by degeneration, edema necrosis and fibrosis. Moderate to severe infiltration of mononuclear cells in the vaginal and cervical mucosa were found in groups III and IV. Group V indicated necrosis of superficial mucosal lining with the presence of bacterial colonies. Hyperplasia of glands of vaginal and cervical mucosa showed neutrophils and mononuclear cells infiltration with cystic dilatation. The group V cases revealed chronic inflammatory changes of adhesions, lacerations, necrosis and perivascular fibrosis, hyperplasia of uterine glands along with congestion and haemorrhage. The group VI cases, (with abnormalities of ovaries) revealed cystic dilation with fluid filled cavity, with single layered cysts. Few specimens revealed multicystic ovaries which had thick, multilayered wall and cyst within the wall. The histological signs correlated with the clinical signs and helped in prognosis of repair and cure of the case.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF AGE OF SEEDLINGS, ORGANIC MANURES AND NITROGEN LEVELS ON PRODUCTIVITY OF TRANSPLANTED KHARIF RICE {Oryza sativa L.) UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS(AAU, Anand, 2010) SHANKARBHAI, PATEL ASHVINKUMAR; Patel, J. J.An experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station for Irrigated Crops, Anand Agricultural University, Thasra, Dist. Kheda (Gujarat) during two consecutive kharif season of the year 2006 and 2007 with a view to study the "Effect of Age of seedlings, Organic manures and Nitrogen levels on productivity of transplanted kharif Rice {Oryza sativa L) under Middle Gujarat conditions". The experiment consisted of twenty treatment combinations comprised of two age of seedlings A1 (10 to 12 days old seedling) and A2 (25 to 30 days old seedling), five levels of organic manures Mi (No organic manure), M2 (FYM 10 t ha-1), M3 (Vermicompost 2 t ha-1), M4 (FYM 10 tha-1 + Bio fertilizer) and M5 (Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 + Bio fertilizer) and two nitrogen levels Ni(75 kg Nha-1) and N2 (100 kg Nha-1).The field experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with four replications. The soil of the experimental field was sandy clay loam in texture having good drainage capacity. It was low in organic carbon and nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in available potassium. The results revealed that age of seedling significantly influenced the growth and yield attributes viz., periodical plant height, dry matter production (except, 30 DATP), av.number of effective tillers plant-1 av.number of panicles m-2, av. panicle length, panicle weight, av.number of grains panicle-1 and test weight. These attributes were the highest under the treatment A1 (10 to 12 days old seedling) as compared to the treatment A2 (25 to 30 days old seedling). Grain and straw yields were significantly affected due to age of seedling. Treatment A1 (10 to 12 days old seedling) registered significantly the highest grain and straw yield (5287 and 7767 kgha-1) as compared to treatment A2 (25 to 30 days old seedling). The per cent increase in grain and straw yield under treatment Ai (10 to 12 days old seedling) was to the tune of 2.86 and 6.21 % respectively. Amylase content, N, P, K uptake in grain and straw and available phosphorus recorded significantly the highest under the treatment Ai (10 to 12 days old seedling) as compared to treatment A2 (25 to 30 days old seedling).ThesisItem Open Access EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, HAEMATOBIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HELMINTH PARASITES OF CAMELS(AAU, Anand, 2011) SOLANKI, JAYESH BABULAL; Hasnani, J. J.In the present study, a total of 2604 faecal samples of camels were collected from Anand, Vadodara, Kheda, Ahmedabad and Panchmahal districts of middle Gujarat during the period from June-2008 to May-2009 and were examined for the presence of helminth parasites. The results revealed that the overall prevalence of helminthic infection was 68.01 per cent. The overall prevalence of nematodes, frematodes and cestodes was 89.01, 5.25 and 5.65 per cent, respectively. Among trematodes, Fasciola spp. eggs were detected in 93 (5.25%) samples. Regarding cestodes, the prevalence of Moniezia spp. was 5.65 per cent. The prevalence of Haemonchus spp. was maximum, while that of Cooperia spp., Ostertagia spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. was the least. The overall maximum prevalence of helminths was observed in the month of July (87.56%) and minimum in the month of May (42.40%) in middle Gujarat. The highest gastrointestinal nematode infection was observed in the month of July (91.58%) and the lowest in the month of May (85.87%) in middle Gujarat. In all the districts of middle Gujarat, the highest infection of Haemonchus spp. was observed in the month of July. The overall lowest (16.99%) infection of Haemonchus spp. was recorded in the month of January. The overall Trichostrongylus spp. infection was also highest (28.42%) in the month of July and minimum in the month of February. The maximum intensity of GIT nematodes was observed for Trichostrongyliid group (891.43 mean epg) with range 50- 4550 epg. The mean epg for Strongyloides spp. and Trichuris spp. was 638.41 (50- 1450) and 198.94 (50-1700), respectively. The overall maximum intensity of Trichostrongyliid group was observed in the month of July with mean epg of 1483.97 50 and minimum in the month of February with mean epg of 638.25. The overall prevalence of Strongyloides spp. was found to be low throughout the year. The overall intensity of Strongyloides spp. was maximum in the month of November with mean epg of 907.47 and minimum in the month of May with mean epg of 405.92. The infection of Trichuris spp. was found common throughout the year ranging from 7-15 per cent in middle Gujarat. The highest prevalence (15.03%) and intensity (mean epg 357.38) of Trichuris spp. was observed in the month of June and the lowest prevalence (7.61%) and intensity (mean epg 96.40) was observed in the month of May. The per cent prevalence of Nematodims spp. was the highest in the month of December (13.10%) and zero in the month of May. Very low grade infection (5.25%) of Fasciola spp. was observed with zero prevalence in the month of March and April. Season, age and sex of the animal had significant influence on the prevalence of helminths in camels. Maximirai prevalence of helminths was recorded in monsoon (81.22%) and minimum in summer (55.07%). The maximum (90.48%) prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was recorded in the winter season with almost similar prevalence in summer (88.49%) and monsoon (88.37%). The Fasciola spp. infection was maximum (7.66%) in monsoon and minimum (1.88%) in summer. The Moniezia spp. infection was found maximum (9.62%) in summer and minimum (3.97%) in monsoon. The overall maximum intensity of Trichostrongyliid group was observed in monsoon with mean epg of 1122.38 . Maximum intensity of Strongyloides spp. and Trichuris spp. was observed in winter with mean epg of 868.09 and 243.21, respectively.The helminthic infection was the highest (81.62%) in camels of 2-5 years of age and the lowest (47.37%) in camel calves ageing below 2 years of age. The GIT nematode infection was highest (91.22%) in camels of 5-10 years of age and lowest (71.60%) in camel calves ageing below 2 years. The prevalence of Trichistrongyliid group infection was on increasing trend with advancement of age. The Fasciola spp. infection was highest (6.37%) in camels above 10 years of age and lowest (4.32%) in camels below 5 years of age. The Moniezia spp. infection was on decreasing ebb with advancement of age with maximum prevalence (24.07%) in camel calves ageing below 2 years of age.The overall prevalence of helminths was higher in females (74.96%) than males (61.48%). No influence of sex was found on prevalence of GIT nematodes. The Moniezia spp. infection was higher in males (7.27%) than females (4.23%). Almost similar prevalence was recorded in males (5.21%) and females (5.29%) for fasciolosis in camels of middle Gujarat. After coproculture, camels were determined to be infected with third stage larvae of Trichostrongylus spp., Ostertagia spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Haemonchus spp., Nematodirus spp., Trichuris spp., Strongyloides spp. and Cooperia species. Haematological study conducted on helminths infected camels revealed statistically significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume and lymphocyte, with significant increase in the total leucocyte count, MCHC, neutrophils and eosinophils. No difference was observed in the monocytic coimt of helminths infected and vminfected camels. Biochemical study carried out on helminths infected camels revealed significant decrease in glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, calcium and magnesium concentration. There was non-significant difference in the creatinine level of helminths infected and uninfected camels. There was significant increase in the enzymatic activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SCOT) in helminths infected camels. Macroscopically, abomasum showed varying degrees of ulceration, congestion of mucosa, thickened walls and oedematous folds associated with haemorrhagic foci due to presence oi Haemonchus. spp. worms. Histopathologically, there were hyperemia in the abomasal mucosa and hyperplasia of the abomasal glands with cellular infiltration mainly of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Small intestine infected with Strongyloides spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. worms showed oedematous and congested mucosa with small petecheal haemorrhages. Histopathologically, there were loss of intestinal villi, thickened mucosa and heavy infiltration of inflammatory cells in mucosa and submucosa of the duodenvim. Large intestine infected with Trichuris spp. revealed thickened and oedematous mucosa with haemorrhagic foci. There was ulcer and nodule formation with thickening of the duodenal wall. On histopathological examination, intestine revealed catarrhal inflammation and necrosis of gland with eosinophilic infiltration. Liver showed irregularly distributed haemorrhages with grayish to pale white colour areas on gross examination. Microscopically, there was fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver. Lungs showed emphysema and congestion with pale white raised areas.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN HUMAN AND ANIMAL POPULATION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS ZOONOTIC SIGNIFICANCE(AAU, Anand, 2010) PARMAR, BHUPENDRA C.; Brahmbhatt, M. N.The aim of the present study was to isolate, identify and characterise Mycobacteria from various clinical specimens of human beings, animals and from environment. Microbiological examination of 600 samples (150 from human, 400 from animals and 50 from environment) was carried out to study the prevalence of Mycobacteria. Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were isolated during the study period from various specimens of animals and human, viz. milk 18 (out of 148) and nose swabs 40 ( out of 252) from cattle; throat swab 1 (out of 24), nose swab 6 (out of 62) and sputum 6 (out of 64) samples from human. However, no non- tuberculous Mycobacteria {Mycobacterium forttiitum) were isolated from soil and water during the study period. All these clinical isolates of Mycobacteria were subjected to Z-N staining. Biochemical tests, viz. Catalase test. Niacin detection. Nitrate reduction, Pyrazinamidase activity and T2CH (Thiophene- 2- carboxyllic acid hydrazide) and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction). Single intradermal test (tuberculin test) was carried out in 260 animals of LRS and HF farm. Among these, 42 cattle were found positive for tuberculin test. From 42 tuberculin positive and 218 tuberculin negative cattle, 37 and 21 isolates, respectively, of Mycobacterium bovis were recovered. Single intradermal test (Mantoux test) was carried out on 50 human beings, none was found positive for Tuberculosis; eventhough 13 isolates oiMycobacterium tuberculosis were recovered. The results of this investigation indicated that the frequency of occurrence of organism was higher in the cattle (81.69 %) than the human (18.31 %); frequency of occurrence was higher in exotic cattle (37.29 %) than indigenous cattle (1.41 %). In man, the frequency of occurrence of organism was higher in the males (11.11 %) than the females (0 %). Among cattle; females are more susceptible than males. Among the various clinical specimens collected, 64.80 per cent isolates of Mycobacteria were from nose swab, followed by milk (25.50 %), sputum (8.50 %) and throat swab (1.20 %). Enviroimiental screening of the soil and water yielded zero isolate of Mycobacteria. It was concluded that, the overall prevalence of tuberculosis was higher in animals as compared to human and environment. Exotic cattle are more susceptible to tuberculosis than indigenous cattle. Single intradermal test (tuberculin test) is useful for the detection of primary infection of tuberculosis, but it is not important in human for detection of tuberculosis. Biochemical tests, viz. Catalase test. Niacin detection. Nitrate reduction, Pyrazinamidase activity and T2CH (Thiophene 2 carboxyllic acid hydrazide) are effective for differentiation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis. All the isolates of Mycobacteria were screened for PCR for the presence of genes viz. p34 for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and hupB for differentiation of Mycobacterium bovis from Mycobacterium tuberculosis using specific primers. Being a less expensive and easily available mediimi, LJ medivmi with or without sodium pyruvate can be recommended for the routine microbiological work in the microbiology and public health laboratories for the study of prevalence of tuberculosis in human and animal population.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF KHARIF CROPS ON THE NUTRIENTS ECONOMY IN SUCCEEDING WHEAT CROP(AAU, 2010) Usadadiya, Vrajdas P.; Dr. R. H. Patel