EFFECT OF CHANDRASOOR (Lepidium sativum) SUPPLEMENTATION ON DRY MATTER INTAKE, BODY WEIGHT AND MILK YIELD IN LACTATING MURRAH BUFFALOES

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1 Original Article Buffalo Bulletin (December 2011) Vol.30 No.4 EFFECT OF CHANDRASOOR (Lepidium sativum) SUPPLEMENTATION ON DRY MATTER INTAKE, BODY WEIGHT AND MILK YIELD IN LACTATING MURRAH BUFFALOES Sanjeev Kumar, R.P.S. Baghel and Ankur Khare* ABSTRACT Twenty-eight experimental lactating Murrah buffaloes were selected and divided into four groups on the basis of their body weight, milk yield, parity and stage of lactation. The experiment was conducted for a period of 5 months. The different dietary groups were T1: Normal feed (control), T2: Feed + 50 g chandrasoor seed powder (CSP), T3: Feed + 100g CSP and T4: Feed g CSP. The average dry matter intakes (DMI) observed in the buffaloes of the T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups were 13.53, 13.80, and kg, respectively. While the body weight gains in the buffaloes were 10.71, 15.71, and kg in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively, during the experiment. Total milk yields for the period of 5 months in the buffaloes of the T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups were , , and litres, respectively. Keywords: lactating buffaloes, chandrasoor, dry matter, milk yield INTRODUCTION The buffalo population in the world is about 168 million, of which about 161 million (95.83%) are found in Asia. India ranks first with million buffaloes (17 th Livestock Census, 2003) which was around 57 percent of the world s buffalo population. The total buffalo population in Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) was 7.57 million, which ranked 4 th in India, while the buffalo population in Jabalpur division of M.P. was around 99,374 (17 th Livestock Census, 2003). The per capita availability of milk is about 252 g/day against the ICMR recommendations of around 285 g (National statistics, 2008). When the management of husbandry practices is sub-optimal, improvement of the animal health and prevention of excessive stress on its production capacity could be achieved through holistic approach of increasing the feed utilization using herbal supplements (Singh et al., 1991). Chandrasoor (Lepidium sativum), one of the important herbal seeds, is claimed to possess varied nutritional and medicinal properties for example as a galactagogue, a diuretic, an alternative tonic, a demulcent, an aphrodisiac, a carminative and an emmenagogue properties. The color of the chandrasoor seed is brick red to cream color while its endosperm is yellow. It is traditionally used in the postpartum period to promote lactation and alleviate lower back pain. It also works well as a general tonic for a lactating mother. It also has antiseptic, antibacterial and therapeutic properties Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, South Civil Lines, Jabalpur (M.P.) , India, ankur_khare29@yahoo.com, ankur_khare29@rediff.com 262

2 for the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints (Mericli, 1990). Kholif and Abt El-Gawad (2001) and Abo El-Nor et al. (2004) reported that Nigella sativa, Lepidium sativum and Crum carvi seeds might be useful as a galactagogue in lactating buffaloes. Despite its great nutritional and medicinal value, it has not received the attention it deserves. So far there are very few reports about its chemical composition, nutritive value and effects on quality and quantity of milk. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-eight experimental lactating Murrah buffaloes were selected from the livestock farm of the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Jabalpur (M.P.). The animals were selected based on their body weight, stage of lactation and milk yields. The experiment was conducted for five months. The buffaloes were distributed into four groups assigned to four dietary treatments. Group I (T 1 ) was the control. The animals of this group were fed a balanced diet using wheat straw, green berseem and concentrate mixture separately to fulfill their nutrient requirements (ICAR, 1998). The buffaloes of the three other groups were fed same feed as the T 1 group except for supplementation with chandrasoor seed powder (CSP) which was fed to individual lactating buffaloes 50 g, 100 g and 150 g in II (T 2 ), III (T 3 ) and IV (T 4 ) groups of buffaloes, respectively. Experimental buffaloes were offered feed as per ICAR standard (1998). Concentrate mixture prepared using locally available feed ingredients contained 15% DCP and 70% TDN. The ingredient composition of concentrate mixture is presented in Table 1. Body weights of the 28 experimental buffaloes were taken individually at the start and termination of experiment. It was recorded in the morning before feeding and watering of animals. The concentrate mixture was offered at 9.30 am and at milking time, whereas the wheat straw and green berseem was provided after complete consumption of the concentrate mixture. The actual intake was recorded daily from the quantity offered less that left over. Milk yield was recorded daily. Samples of feed were analyzed for proximate composition using the methods described in A.O.A.C. (1990). The data obtained during the experiment were analyzed using completely randomized design Table 1. Ingredient composition of concentrate mixture. Ingredients Percentage Yellow Maize 20 Wheat bran 15 Cotton seed cake 20 Arhar chuni 17 Mustard seed cake 20 Oat 5 Mineral mixture 2 Salt 1 263

3 described by Steel and Torrie (1992). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The effect of feeding chandrasoor was studied and the data obtained were analyzed statistically. Dry matter intake (DMI) The average DMI in buffaloes given by chandrasoor supplementation is furnished in Table 2. The average DMI, DMI per 100 kg BW and DMI per kg metabolic body weight in animals of T1 group were 13.53±0.243 kg/d, 2.45±0.042 kg/100 kg BW and ±0.207 g/w 0.75 kg. While, in animals of the T2 group, these were 13.80±0.193 kg/d, 2.65±0.084 kg/100 kg BW and ±0.307 g/w 0.75 kg. Similarly, in animals of the T3 group, these were kg/d, 2.49±0.073 kg/100 kg BW and ±0.290 g/w 0.75 kg and in animals of the T4 group, these were 14.33±0.44 kg/d, 2.60± kg/100 kg BW and ±0.303 g/w 0.75 kg. The DMI differences among these groups were non significant (P>0.05). However T2, T3 and T4 groups had higher DMI/day and per DMI per 100 kg BW. DMI per metabolic body weight was lowest in T1 group and higher in the chandrasoor supplemented (T2 and T4) groups. Tomar et al. (1996), Mekete (2000) and Mahanta et al. (2004) also observed a significant increase in dry matter intake by Murrah buffaloes due to chandrasoor supplementation. Body weight of the animals: Average initial and final body weights of the buffaloes and average gains or losses in their body weights are presented in Table 3. The average initial body weight of buffaloes in T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups was ±7.61, ±20.013, ± and ± kg, respectively. The average weight gain recorded in these groups of buffaloes was 10.71±3.689, 15.71±3.847, 18.57±4.041 and 18.71±5.609 kg in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively during 150 days. The analysis of data revealed non-significant (P>0.05) differences in the weight gain of buffaloes between treatments. However, among Chandrassor supplemented groups better weight gain was recorded. Higher weight gain was attributed to better utilization of nutrients and more body tissue synthesis. Further, variation in weight gain may also be attributed to some managemental error also. There was no work reported regarding the effect of herbal supplements on the weight gain of buffaloes. Milk production of the animals: The effect of chandrasoor supplementation on the milk yield of the buffaloes is presented in Table 4. On perusal of data it was observed that supplementation with chandrasoor caused significant increase in the milk yield of buffaloes. As compared to the control group of buffaloes, chandrassor supplementation 50 g or 100 g daily to each buffalo caused significant increases in the milk yield. Further, when the level of chandrassor was increased to 150 g daily to each buffalo, it was responsible for maximum and significant (P<0.05) increase in their milk production. The increase in the milk yield of buffaloes due to chandrassor supplementation was related to higher amount of nutrient utilization and its availability for milk synthesis. Our studies have been also supported by other workers. Tomar et al. (1996), Mekete (2000) and Mahanta et al. (2004) also reported increase in the milk yield of buffaloes due to chandrasoor supplementation. 264

4 Table 2. Average DMI of buffaloes influenced by different levels of chandrasoor supplementation (5 months duration). Group DMI DMI/100 Kg BW (Kg/d) (Kg) DMI / W 0.75 Kg (g) T ± ± ± T ± ± ± T ± ± ± T ± ± ± Table 3. Average initial and final body weights of the buffaloes and average gains or losses in their body weights (5 months duration). Group BW Initial (kg) BW at the end of the experiment (kg) BW Gain (kg) T ± ± ±3.689 T ± ± ±3.847 T ± ± ±4.041 T ± ± ±5.609 Table 4. Total milk yield (L) of buffaloes. Groups T1 T2 T3 T4 Total milk yield c b b a a, b, c Values with similar superscript in a column did not differ significantly (P>0.05) CONCLUSION REFERENCES Thus it was concluded that chandrassor has a galactagogue effect in buffaloes and supplementation of 100 g chandrassor daily to each buffalo was beneficial for improving their milk productivity. A.O.A.C Association of Offi cial Analytical Chemists, Offi cial Method of Analysis, 15 th ed. 22 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington Virginia, USA. Abo El- nor, S.A.H., H.M. Khattab, H.A. Al-Alamy, F.A. Salem and M.M. Abdou Effect of some medicinal plants seeds in the rations on the productive performance of lactating 265

5 buffaloes. Int. J. Dairy Sci., 2(4): ICAR Nutrient Requirement of Livestock and Poultry, 2 nd revised ed. Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan, PUSA. New Delhi, India. Kholif, A.M. and M.A.M. Abd El - Gawad Medicinal plant seeds supplementation of lactating goat s diets and its effect on milk and cheese quantity and quality. Egypt. J. Dairy. Sci., 29: Mahanta, S.K., S.S. Kundu and L.K. Karnani Effect of herbal preparation on buffaloes nutritional and lactation performances in Murrah buffaloes fed concentrate mixture and wheat straw. In Proceedings of 11 th Animal Nutrition Conference, Jabalpur, India. Mekete, B Study on feeding some indigenous galactopoietic feed supplements on performance of crossbred cows. M.V.Sc and A.H. Thesis, JNKVV Jabalpur. Mericli, A.H The lipophilic compounds of Turkish Matricaria chamomile variety with no chamozulene in the volatile oil. Int. J. Rulde. Drug. Res., 28: 145. National Statistics National Dairy Development Board. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, GoI. statistics/milkproduction.html. Singh, N., Kumari, R.S. Yadav, M.A. Akbar and B.P. Sengupta Evaluation of Galactin, A Herbal Galactagogue Preparation in Dairy Cow. Indian. Vet. Med., 15: Steel, R.G.D. and J.H. Torrie Principles and Procedures of Statistics and Biometrical Approach. McGraw Hill Book Co. Inc, New York, USA. Tomar, K.S., V.P. Singh and R.S. Yadav Effect of feeding Maithy (Trigonella foenumgraecum) and Chandrasoor (Lepidium sativum) seeds on milk and blood constituents of Murrah buffaloes. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 66(11): th Livestock Census Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India