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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat

Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level. Genesis of AAU - The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati. Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.

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20173
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Subject: Poultry Science × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2017 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF FEEDING GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) ROOT POWDER ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN BROILER CHICKENS
    (College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, 2017-07) Das, Pranjal; Talukdar, J. K.
    A total of one hundred eighty day old commercial broiler chicks (Cobb-400 Y) having similar body weight from a single hatch were procured to study the effect of feeding ginger (Zingiber officinale) root powder on some economic parameters in broiler chickens. The chicks were randomly divided into four groups viz.T0, T1, T2 and T3 containing 45 chicks in each group. Each group was further subdivided into 3 replicates of 15 chicks in each group. The birds under T0 group were offered basal diet without addition of ginger powder, while the birds under T1, T2 and T3 groups were given ginger powder with feed at the rate of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 % level respectively and used in the feeds of broiler chickens for a period of six (6) weeks. All the birds of four groups were offered ad libitum feed and water and maintained under uniform managemental condition. The total feed consumption per broiler for different experimental groups was the highest in T0 group (4011.11g) and was the lowest in T3 group (3924.44g).The final body weight per broiler was the highest in T2 group (2268.22 + 3.02g) and was the lowest in T0 (1890.22 + 4.32g) group. The overall feed conversion ratio for the entire period was the best in T2 group (1.59), followed by T1 (1.64), T3 (1.68) and T0 (1.84) groups. The broiler performance efficiency index was the highest in T2 (142.65) group and was the lowest in T0 (165.86). The livability per cent was 100% for the T1 and T2 groups, followed by T3 (97.77%) and T0 (95.55%). The cost of production per broiler including the additional cost of ginger powder and gross profit were the highest in T2 (Rs. 182.19 and Rs.32.50) and were the lowest in T0 (Rs. 165.86 and Rs. 13.68) group. All carcass traits (dressed weight, giblet weight and giblet yield) except dressing percentage differed significantly among different experimental groups. The dress weight (1636.40 + 21.44 g), giblet weight (120.20 + 1.35 g) and giblet yield (5.35 + 0.02%) found to be higher in T2 group of birds. The control group of birds (T0) had the lower values for all these carcass traits. The per cent yield of cut-up parts like wing, back, breast and drumstick except neck and thigh differ significantly among different treatment groups. The per cent weight of wings (12.75 + 0.31), back (19.71 + 0.49), breast (25.05 + 0.45) and drumstick (14.92 + 0.52) found to be higher in T2 group of birds. The per cent weights of relative organs of broiler on dressed weight basis did not differ significantly among different treatment groups, except the per cent weight of abdominal fat. The per cent weight of abdominal fat was significantly decreased in T3 group (0.51 +0.06) followed by T2, T1 and T0 groups. Among the biochemical parameters serum glucose, total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL had significantly lower values in T3 group, followed by T2, T1 and T0 groups. The HDL values increases significantly in T3 group, followed by T2, T1 and T0 groups. All the haematological parameters except haemoglobin and PCV recorded in the present study did not differ significantly among different treatment groups. The haemoglobin values significantly higher in T3 and T2 groups (11.75 +0.07 and 11.51 + 0.20) as compared to T1 and T0 (10.23 + 0.10 and 9.82 + 0.01) groups. The PCV values increases significantly in T3 group (28.46 + 0.04) followed by T2 (26.65 + 0.06), T1 (25.06 + 0.29) and T0 (22.32 + 0.12) groups. The result of present study indicated that the ginger powder can be used economically as a natural feed additive in broiler chicken diet at the level of 2.0% to improve the overall performance of commercial broiler chickens.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) POWDER ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BROILER CHICKEN
    (College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, 2017-07) Choudhury, Dimpi; Mahanta, J. D.
    The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder on the performance of commercial broiler chicken. A total of one hundred and forty four (144) day-old commercial broiler chicks (Cobb 400) from a single hatch were procured. The broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups viz. T0, T1, T2 and T3 consisting of 36 number of birds in each group. Each group was further sub divided into 3 replicates consisting of 12 birds in each sub group. The chicks were wing banded and reared under deep litter system of management throughout the experimental period following standard and uniform managemantal practices. The birds under T0 group (control) were offered basal diet without addition of turmeric powder. The birds under T1, T2 and T3 groups were fed turmeric powder at the rate of 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75% in the feed (on dry matter basis), respectively. For preparation of turmeric powder, raw turmeric rhizomes were procured and washed. Then these were boiled in water for 30 minutes and sun dried for 15 days after slicing into thin long pieces. The dried turmeric was ground to powdered form and stored at room temperature and used in the broiler starter and finisher feed for a period of 6 weeks. All the birds under the control and treatment groups were offered ad libitum feed and water throughout the experimental period. The birds of all the four groups were reared separately and maintained under uniform managemental condition. The following parameters were studied during the experimental period of 6 weeks: performance traits which included weekly feed intake and feed consumption, weekly body weight and body weight gain, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Broiler Performance Efficiency Index (BPEI) and livability, economics of production, carcass traits like dressed weight, dressing percentage, giblet yield and relative organ weights including lymphoid organs, haematological parameters like haemoglobin, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), total RBC count, total WBC count and WBC differential count (Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Monocyte and Lymphocyte) and blood biochemical parameters like total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, serum glucose, ALT and Glutathione peroxidase. The total feed consumption per broiler for different experimental groups was highest in T3 group (3659.02g) and lowest in T1 group (3561.11g). The final body weight per broiler was highest in T3 group (2134.56 ± 25.82g) followed by T2 group (2049.36 ± 31.07g), T1 (1963.97 ± 39.36g) and T0 (1900.28 ± 31.27 g). The overall FCR of the entire period of the experimental groups was best in T3 group (1.71) followed by T2 (1.75), T1 (1.81) and T0 (1.88) group. Among the different xperimental groups, T3 showed the highest BPEI (124.82) followed by T2 (117.09), T1 (108.50) and T0 (101.08). The per cent livability of all the experimental groups was cent per cent (100). The cost of production per broiler including the additional cost of turmeric powder was highest in T3 (₹ 177.50) followed by T2 (₹ 174.50), T0 (₹ 172.14) and T1 (₹ 172.09) group. However, gross profit per broiler was found to be highest in T3 group (₹ 35.96) followed by T2 (₹ 30.44), T1 (₹ 24.30) and T0 (₹ 17.86) group. All the carcass traits like dressed weight, dressing percentage and giblet weight except giblet yield showed non-significant (P>0.05) differences among the experimental ABSTRACT groups. The per cent giblet yield was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in T0 group (4.96 ± 0.19) than T2 (4.34 ± 0.21) and T3 (4.25 ± 0.08) group. The per cent yield of cut-up parts such as neck, wings, back, breast, thighs and drumsticks did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the different treatment groups. The per cent relative organ weights on dressed weight basis did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the different treatment groups of broiler chicken except the per cent weights of liver. The per cent weight of liver of the turmeric treated groups (T1, T2 and T3) were 2.21 ± 0.04, 2.03 ± 0.08 and 1.98 ± 0.08, respectively which showed significantly (P≤0.05) lower values than the control group (2.46 ± 0.09). All the lymphoid organs like spleen, thymus and Bursa of Fabricius showed non-significant (P>0.05) differences among the different experimental groups. The haematological parameter like haemoglobin, PCV, total WBC count, WBC differential count did not differ significantly (P>0.05) except total RBC count which was recorded as 2.46 ± 0.02, 2.55 ± 0.03, 2.52 ± 0.04 and 2.59 ± 0.03 million/mm3 for T0, T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively and it was found that total RBC count in the turmeric treated at the level of 0.75% showed significantly (P≤0.05) higher value as compared to the control group. Moreover, the total lymphocyte count was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in T3 (93.86 ± 0.75 thousand/mm3), T2 (93.84 ± 1.97 thousand/mm3) and T1 (91.58 ± 3.38 thousand/mm3) group as compared to T0 (82.98 ± 3.67 thousand/mm3) group. The biochemical parameters (total serum cholesterol, HDL, LDL and ALT) except serum glucose, triglycerides and glutathione peroxidase differed significantly (P≤0.05) among the experimental groups in the current study. The total serum cholesterol was found to be significantly (P≤0.01) lower in T3 (140.97 ± 3.06 mg/dl) and T2 (148.24 ± 3.62 mg/dl) group as compared to control group T0 (158.87 ± 2.31 mg/dl). Significantly (P≤0.01) higher HDL values were recorded in T3 (119.22 ± 8.17 mg/dl) and T2 (105.68 ± 8.06 mg/dl) group as compared to T0 (82.13 ± 5.13 mg/dl) group. The LDL levels among different groups differed significantly (P≤0.05) and all the turmeric treated groups (T3, T2 and T1) showed significantly (P≤0.05) lower values in comparison to control group (T0). The LDL level was significantly (P≤0.05) lowest in T3 (20.89 ± 8.44 mg/dl) group and highest in control group (54.39 ± 5.21 mg/dl). The ALT level was significantly (P≤0.01) lowest in T3 (19.51 ± 0.60 U/ml) and highest in control group (29.00 ± 1.94 U/ml). The various organoleptic parameters of broiler meat like colour, flavor, texture, juiciness and overall acceptability did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the different experimental groups. Thus, it is concluded that the turmeric powder can be used effectively and economically as natural feed additive at the rate of 0.75% in commercial broiler chicken feed to improve the overall performance of the birds.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    IDENTIFICATION OF LACTOBACILLUS SPECIES AS PROBIOTIC STRAIN FROM INDIGENOUS CHICKEN AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKEN
    (Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2017-01) Gonmei, Gaichamdinliu; Sapcota, D.
    The present study was aimed to isolate and identify Lactobacillus spp. from different segments of gastro intestinal tract of indigenous chicken of Assam of different age group i.e. chick, grower and adult followed by the screening of isolates for its probiotic potency tests. Initially, a total of eighty isolates were harvested from crop, proventriculus, jejunum, ileum and caecum, out of which thirty one Lactobacillus isolates were characterized through morphological (colony morphology and Gram staining) and biochemical (catalase and sugar fermentation tests) tests. From among the thirty one isolates, five promising Lactobacillus were selected for further screening of probiotic properties. For judging the efficacy of Lactobacillus as probiotic candidate, screening was carried out through various in-vitro probiotic quality assessment tests like aggregation test, resistance to bile salts and acidic conditions, enzymatic test (protease test), cell surface hydrophobicity, co-aggregation test and antagonistic test. From among five isolates, two displayed high aggregation within first 15 to 30 min. upon keeping for 2 hrs. In the acid tolerance test, four isolates were found to be resistant to pH 3. The ox bile of 0.15 and 0.3 % concentration supported growth of all isolates which indicates that Lactobacillus isolates can tolerate up to 0.3 % bile salt. In enzymatic activity, all isolates showed almost similar protease activity. Cell surface hydrophobicity ranged from 47.60±1.34 % to 88.00±1.65 % indicating high hydrophobicity and the ability of isolates to adhere to mucus membrane. Co-aggregation between Lactobacillus isolates and E coli was observed indicating adhesion ability of Lactobacillus isolates with pathogenic bacteria. Antagonistic activity tested against E coli through well diffusion assay indicated the inhibitory property of Lactobacillus isolates. Based on the results, the isolates which scored highest points i.e., ACE5 and AJ3 were subjected to partial 16S rRNA sequencing and BLAST analysis to identify them at species level and found 99.72 % genetic identity with Lactobacillus reuteri for both the isolates. The isolate is registered as L. reuteri PIA16 with the accession no. KX260961under NCBI. Then, the two isolated L. reuteri were put into in vivo growth bioassay treating as two individual entities as their site of isolation differed. 20 % of daily ration for broilers (starter and finisher) was fermented with 20 % of broth culture having L. reuteri 108 cfu/ml. Five treatment groups were provided with different dietary treatments i.e., T1-basal diet (Control), T2- basal diet + 1.85×108 cfu of L. reuteri (ACE5)/ gm fermented feed,T3- basal diet + 1.89×108 cfu of L. reuteri (AJ3)/ gm fermented feed, T4-1.85×108 cfu of L. reuteri (ACE5)/gm fermented feed+ Mannan oligosaccharide(MOS) @ 0.25 % and T5-1.89x108 cfu of L. reuteri (AJ3)/gm fermented feed+MOS @ 0.25 % of feed. Through feeding trial, parameters like body weight change, body weight gain, FCR, feed consumption, carcass characteristics, immunity (cell mediated and humoral) were studied. Effect of dietary supplements on carcass traits, livability and economics were also studied. The L. reuteri PIA16 at 108 cfu dose improved body weight gain, feed consumption and FCR in broiler chickens. The beneficial effect was further improved when supplemented along with prebiotic, MOS. Dietary L. reuteri PIA16 along with MOS showed better carcass traits on the basis of organ weights and cut-up parts and also found to enhance humoral and cell mediated immunity. The Broiler Performance Efficiency Index (BPEI) increased from 14.87 to 15.58 per cent in L. reuteri PIA16 alone fed groups and from 25.44 to 30.13 per cent in L. reuteri PIA16 groups supplemented with prebiotic when compared to control counterpart. The cost of production was higher in all the broiler chickens fed with dietary L. reuteri PIA16 in comparison to control group which was due to higher body weight. However, despite the higher production cost, the gross profit was increased by 0.56 to 0.78 per cent in both the Lactobacillus reuteri PIA16 alone fed groups whereas, in the Lactobacillus reuteri PIA16 with prebiotics fed groups, the profit increased from 1.29 to 1.50 per cent as compared to control counterpart. Furthermore, the study revealed that the two identified L. reuteri strains isolated from different parts of the GIT (caecum and jejunum) was found to be non-site specific. It may be concluded that isolated L. reuteri PIA16 from indigenous chicken of Assam has positive effect on growth, FCR, carcass yields and immunity and proves to be a potential probiotic agent.