Feed consumption, nutrient utilization and serum metabolite profile of captive blackbucks (Antelope cervicapra) fed diets varying in crude protein content

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum level of crude protein (CP) in the diet of captive blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) in which feed consumption and nutrient utilization are maximal. Fifteen blackbucks (BW 25-34 kg) were distributed into three groups of five each in an experiment of 75-days duration including a digestion trial of 5-day collection period. All the animals were offered 200 g of concentrates and fresh maize fodder ad libitum. The overall CP content of the three respective diets was 6.9%, 10.4% and 12.7%. Blood samples were collected on the last day of the experiment. Intake and digestibility of CP increased (p < 0.01) with the increased level of CP in the diet. Feed consumption and nutrient intake were not significantly different among the groups. However, digestibilities of most of the nutrients were higher in the 10.4% CP diet than in the 6.9% CP diet. The endogenous loss of nitrogen was similar among the groups. Based on the endogenous losses, minimum N requirement was calculated to be 776 mg/kg BW(0.75) /day, and to meet this requirement, diet must contain at least 8.27% CP. Serum urea nitrogen concentration increased (p < 0.01) with increased level of dietary CP. Serum level of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase was higher (p < 0.05) in the group fed 6.9% CP diet. Animals in the group fed low protein diet also lost body mass during the experimental period. It was concluded that a diet containing 10.4% CP was optimum for maximizing nutrient utilization without any adverse effect on voluntary feed consumption and serum metabolite profile of blackbucks.     

Variability and divergence in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pongamia pinnata</Emphasis> for further use in tree improvement

A total of 24 candidate plus trees (CPTs) of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. were selected to elucidate their variation and diversity based on thirteen quantitative traits (4 pod traits, 6 seed traits of parent trees and 3 progeny traits) at Forest Research Centre, Institute of Forest Productivity — Mandar, Ranchi district during 2005–2007. The results show that, CPT-19 had maximum for seven traits viz, pod length (65.6 mm), 100-pod weight (542.4 g), seed 2D (two dimension) area (351.2 mm²), seed length (27.9 mm), seed breadth (17.4 mm), 100-seed weight (217.9 g) and plant height (164.3 cm). The traits, 100-pod weight and 100-seed weight had a high heritability (98.4%, 96.9%) accompanied with high genetic advance (46.0%, 34.9%). There is a positive significant correlation between 100-pod weight and 100-seed weight traits at both genotypic and phenotypic levels with plant height, collar diameter and volume index at 30 MAS (months after sowing). Volume index expressed a moderate heritability (47.4%) accompanied with high genetic advance (48.4%), indicating that the character is governed by additive gene effects. In divergence study, 24 accessions were grouped into 6 clusters on the basis of non-hierarchical euclidian cluster analysis. The genotypes in cluster IV (CPT-5, CPT-6, CPT-7, CPT-12, CPT-16, CPT-18, CPT-22) and cluster III (CPT-4, CPT-8, CPT-9, CPT-20, CPT-21) were most heterogeneous and can be best used within group hybridization. The wide diversity exists between the cluster V and II, followed by cluster II and I and crosses between CPTs of these clusters may result in substantial segregates. It is revealed that the existence of substantial variation and diversity can be utilized for genetic resource conservation and further tree improvement programmers of the species.     

Restoration of the mangrove vegetation in the Mahanadi delta,Orissa, India

In India, mangroves occupy 6740 km² of which the Mahanadi delta andBhitarkanika mangrove forests of Orissa cover 191.44 km², most of whichhas been severely overexploited. World wide concern to conserve mangrovesnecessitated propagation of mangroves to re-establish them on barren andswampy land along tidal creeks around Paradeep port of Orissa. Avicenniaofficinalis, Aegiceras corniculatum, Bruguiera parviflora, B. sexangula,Ceriops decandra, Excoecaria agallocha, Heritiera fomes, Kandelia candel,Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia apetala were vegetatively propagated andplanted over 10 ha of degraded salt-marshy wetlands of Mahanadi delta inpure and mixed stands depending on the intensity and the frequency of tidalinundation at the experimental site. Survival was significantly higher(80%) in S. apetala followed by A. officinalis, R. mucronata, K.candel and H. fomes (70–75%). S. apetala recorded the maximumgrowth in height (3.0 m after 2 years) whereas C. decandra showed theminimum growth (0.5 m). Growth performance was better with plants in mixedstands than the plantation with single species. This gives us hope topropagate and re-establish mangroves for conservation in scientificallymanaged plantations in a physiologically arid environment.     

Effect of dietary protein on intake,nutrients utilization,nitrogen balance,blood metabolites,growth and puberty in growing Bhadawari buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers

Fifteen Bhadawari buffalo heifers of 207?±?9.78 kg mean body weight were randomly distributed into three dietary groups to evaluate the effect of protein level on nutrient utilization, nitrogen (N) balance, growth rate, blood metabolites, and puberty. All animals were offered wheat straw-berseem diets supplemented with concentrate mixtures of similar energy (2.7 Mcal/kg) and different protein levels (14.3–22 %). Animals of standard-protein group (SPG) were offered protein and energy as per requirement, while animals of low-protein group (LPG) and high-protein group (HPG) were fed 20 % less and 20 % more protein, respectively, than SPG. Feed dry matter (DM) and metabolizable energy (ME) intake (% body wt. and g/kg w^0.75) were similar for all three diets; however, the crude protein (CP) and digestible crude protein (DCP) intake on percent body weight and per kilogram metabolic weight was higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG than in SPG or LPG. Digestibility of CP, cellulose, and hemicellulose was higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG versus LPG. Fecal N excretion was similar, while urinary N excretion was highest (P?<?0.05) in HPG (74.83 g/day) compared with SPG (50.03 g/day) and LPG (47.88 g/day), which resulted in lower N retention in HPG than in the other dietary groups. Level of dietary N had no effect on blood metabolites viz. glucose, urea, and N. Digestible energy (DE) and ME contents of diets were identical, while DCP contents were higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG than in LPG. Feed and nutrient (CP and ME) conversion efficiency to produce a unit kilogram weight gain was identical among the dietary groups. Dietary protein level had no effect on the heifer’s weight and age at puberty. The mean growth rate of heifers at 240 days was higher (P?>?0.05) in SPG (330.8 g/day) than in LPG (296.7 g/day), while the animals gained more weight in January to March months and the lowest weight in May to July months. Protein level had no effect on conception rate of heifers. Results revealed that 20 % higher or less protein than the ICAR requirement had no significant (P?>?0.05) on feed intake, nutrient conversion efficiency for weight gain, heifer growth, and puberty; however, 20 % more protein increased urinary N loss.

     

A novel mannose-binding lectin from plasma of Labeo rohita

A new mannose-binding lectin was purified from plasma of freshwater fish, rohu (Labeo rohita) by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography. The hemagglutinating activity is strong for neuraminidase-treated rabbit erythrocytes. Mannose, glucose and their derivatives inhibit hemagglutination. The apparent molecular weight was determined to be 210 kDa in native PAGE. Analysed on SDS-PAGE under reducing and non-reducing conditions, the protein migrated as a single band of mol.wt. 40,000. The lectin is acidic in nature showing a pI of 4.5. It is a glycoprotein containing complex glycan part as indicated by carbohydrate analysis using high-pressure anion exchange chromatography with a pulsed amperometric detector. The N-terminal sequence (WLNGIGTQIPMKITT) shows no significant homology with known proteins. It appears to be a C-type lectin as Ca²⁺ is essential for carbohydrate-binding activity. Methyl -α- D-mannopyranoside was found to be the most potent inhibitor among the monosaccharides and disaccharides tested. Purified lectin was found to induce intracellular superoxide production following opsonization of E. coli by its own macrophages. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of sub-lethal nitrite on selected haematological parameters in fingerling Catla catla (Hamilton)

A sub‐lethal nitrite toxicity trial was conducted using static conditions for a period of 96 h with fingerlings of Catla catla (21.4±3.6 g). Fingerlings were exposed to five concentrations of nitrite, that is, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10.4 mg L^?1 and a nitrite‐free control to study changes in haematological parameters. Nitrite caused an increase in immature erythrocyte population (7–24%) in lower concentrations (0–4 mg L^?1) at 6 h while they were absent in higher concentrations. The total erythrocyte count was reduced at 6 h followed by an increase at 12 h with further reduction up to 96 h in all concentrations of nitrite. The 96‐h exposure resulted in 21.2–31.8% reduction in erythrocyte population in 1–10.4 mg L^?1 nitrite. The haemoglobin content decreased progressively with increasing nitrite concentrations as well as exposure periods. Total leukocyte count decreased initially at 6 h in all treatments followed by an increase after 12 h, signifying development of a protective response of the body to nitrite stress. Blood glucose decreased initially up to 24 h followed by an increase through 96 h. Serum protein level decreased continuously with increasing exposure period. The study revealed that exposure to nitrite caused changes in almost all the haematological parameters in the fingerlings depending on the concentration as well as exposure period. Nitrite being one of the important inorganic nutrients often recorded at higher levels in intensively cultured ponds, the present study highlights its adverse impact on fish and stressed the need for the management of this nutrient in culture ponds.     

Development of high yielding early matured and shattering tolerant Brassica napus L. through interspecific hybridization between B. rapa L. and B. oleracea L.

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Brassica napus L is an important oilseed crops grown throughout many parts of the world. It is well adapted to long day photoperiods. Synthetic B. napus was...