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Influence of an Anaerobic Fungal Culture (Orpinomyces sp.) Administration on Growth Rate, Ruminal Fermentation and Nutrient Digestion in Calves |
Avijit Dey, Jatinder Paul Sehgal, Anil Kumar Puniya, Kishan Singh |
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Abstract |
The study was to see the effect of administration of ruminal fungi on feed intake, growth rate, rumen fermentation and nutrient digestion of calves (Tharparkar Holstein-Friesian, average age: 10 months, average body weight: 130 kg). The 6 calves in first group were fed a mixture consisted of 50% wheat straw and 50% concentrate (Maize 62%, Groundnut cake 35%, Mineral mix. 2% and Common salt 1%) along with 1 kg green oats animal-1 day-1 while second group calves were fed the above-mentioned diet in addition to a dose of 160 ml (106 CFU/ml) fungal culture calf-1 week-1. The average dry matter intake per day was slightly lowered in fungal fed calves yet feed conversion ratio was higher. The average daily weight gain was significantly higher (15.37%) in fungal administered group as compared to control. The nutrient digestibility was increased for crude fibre, NDF and ADF with fungal administration. Digestible energy value of straw-based diet in terms of percent TDN also increased. The pH and NH3-N were lower whereas TVFA, total-N, TCA-N and number of zoospores were higher in rumen liquor in fungal administered group. |
Keywords:
Anaerobic Ruminal Fungi; Orpinomyces sp.; Growth Rate; Nutrient Digestion |
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