Search

Maize and soybean intercropping is a cereal-legume intercropping pattern that not only increases grain yield but also improves the nutritional value of silage. Experiments were conducted in the summer season to compare the yield and nutritional composition of the forage and silage quality of mono-cropped maize and intercropped maize-soybean harvested at two stages of maturity. The main treatments were one sole crop maize (SM) and four maize-soybean intercropping patterns (one-row maize to one-row soybean (1M1S), one-row maize to two-row soybean (1M2S), one-row maize to three-row soybean (1M3S), and two-row maize to one-row soybean (2M1S). The crops were harvested when the maize reached the milk (R3) and maturity (R6) stages. Results indicated a significant increase in the fresh biomass and dry-matter production of maize fodder alone compared with those of maize intercropped with soybean fodder. After 60 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analyzed for pH, organic acids, dry matter, crude protein (CP), ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and other mineral compositions. All intercropped silages showed higher CP values (1M1S, 12.1%, 1M2S, 12.2%, 1M3S, 12.4%, and 2M1S, 12.1%) than the SM silage (8.7%). Higher organic acids were produced in 1M3S than in the other silages. Correlation data showed that CP was highly correlated with lactic acid but negatively associated with crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and NDF. Thus, the intercropping of maize and soybean silage is recommended due its enhanced crop production, nutritional values in dairy animals, and prolific animal feedings and because it was scientifically evaluated as a feed stuff. This study indicated that 1M3S was the most preferable among intercropped silages in terms of nutrient composition.

This present study aimed to determine the efficacy of supplementing layer diets with vitamin A (0, 8,000 and 16,000 IU/kg diet) and vitamin E (0, 250 and 500 mg/kg diet) either individually or in combination on egg production and quality, and blood hematology and chemistry of birds reared under summer conditions. A total of 135 Bovans Brown laying hens were distributed to 9 treatment groups with 5 replicates of 3 hens/pen in a 3 × 3 factorial design. A significant improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed as supplementary vitamin A or E increased (P ≤ 0.01). Hens fed diets supplemented with 16,000 IU vitamin A plus 500 mg vitamin E/kg diet had the best FCR among all groups. Egg quality traits were not significantly affected by the interaction of vitamin A and vitamin E levels. There was a significant increase in monocytes (P ≤ 0.01) and a decrease in basophils counts (P ≤ 0.05) in response to vitamin E. Significant decreases were observed in packed cell volume (PCV), thyroxine (T4), alanine transferase (ALT), albumin, total cholesterol and total lipids ( (P ≤ 0.05 or P ≤ 0.01) P ≤ 0.01) , and increases were observed in serum concentrations of globulin (P ≤ 0.05) and calcium (P ≤ 0.01) due to vitamin A. The combination of 0 IU vitamin A and 500 mg vitamin E/kg diet had the highest values of PCV (40.09%) and hemoglobin (Hb) (10.33 mg/100 mL) among all groups. Vitamin E raised serum values of total protein, total cholesterol and total lipids (P ≤ 0.05 or P ≤ 0.01). Feed intake, FCR, PCV, Hb, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, T4, ALT and total protein were significantly affected by the interaction of vitamins A and E (P ≤ 0.05 or P ≤ 0.01). The interaction of vitamins A and E was only significant with respect to serum total protein (P ≤ 0.05). It can be concluded that layer diets supplemented with vitamins A and E had good results in alleviating the harmful impacts of high ambient temperature. The combination of 16,000 IU vitamin A and 500 mg vitamin E per kilogram diet is preferable for obtaining better production of laying hens reared under hot summer conditions. Keywords: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Layer, Egg quality, Blood hematology, Serum metabolites

Protein quality plays a key role than quantity in growth, production, and reproduction of ruminants. Application of high concentration of dietary crude protein (CP) did not balance the proportion of these limiting amino acids (AA) at duodenal digesta of high producing dairy cow. Thus, dietary supplementation of rumen-protected AA is recommended to sustain the physiological, productive, and reproductive performance of ruminants. Poor metabolism of high CP diets in rumen excretes excessive nitrogen (N) through urine and feces in the environment. This excretion is usually in the form of nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, nitrate, and ammonia. In addition to producing gases like methane, hydrogen carbon dioxide pollutes and has a potentially negative impact on air, soil, and water quality. Data specify that supplementation of top-limiting AA methionine and lysine (Met + Lys) in ruminants’ ration is one of the best approaches to enhance the utilization of feed protein and alleviate negative biohazards of CP in ruminants’ ration. In conclusion, many in vivo and in vitro studies were reviewed and reported that low dietary CP with supplemental rumen-protected AA (Met + Lys) showed a good ability to reduce N losses or NH3. Also, it helps in declining gases emission and decreasing soil or water contamination without negative impacts on animal performance. Finally, further studies are needed on genetic and molecular basis to explain the impact of Met + Lys supplementation on co-occurrence patterns of microbiome of rumen which shine new light on bacteria, methanogen, and protozoal interaction in ruminants.

Flavonoids are natural compounds derived from fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants. These compounds have been reported to possess various biological actions including anti-inflammatory, antioxid...

Aim:: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological infestation and identification of Ixodidae and Argasidae ticks species in buffalo of different parts of district Khairpur, Pakistan. Materials and Methods:: A total of 720 Water buffaloes from three tehsils (subdivisions) were selected randomly and examined from organized and unorganized dairy farms for tick infestation in district Khairpur, Pakistan. This epidemiological survey was conducted during April to September 2015. Results:: The overall mean population and preferred site of tick attachment to infested animals, in Gambat, Sobhodero, and Kot Diji tehsils, were observed on different body parts. The primary body area of infestation by ticks (head, thorax, abdomen, udder, and tail) ranged from highest in tail and udder part compared to lowest in the abdomen, head, and thorax. In all study areas, the infestation was higher (p

The present study was designed to alleviate the negative biohazards of high ambient temperature on the productive performance and physiological status of laying hens. A total of 135 Bovans laying hens were distributed into nine groups in a 3 × 3 factorial design experiment. Basal diet was supplemented with vitamin E at levels of 0, 250, and 500 mg /kg diet. Within each dietary vitamin E level, each diet was supplemented with sodium selenite as a source of selenium (Se) to supply 0, 0.25, and 0.50 mg Se/kg diet. Results showed that supplementing layer's diet with 500 mg vitamin E/kg was accompanied with the lowest feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The interaction among vitamin E and Se levels exerted significant effects only on FC and FCR. Insignificant differences were observed in egg quality criteria due to the treatments studied. Increasing vitamin E level was associated with a gradual decrease in basophil count and an increase in monocytes. A gradual decrease in the count of each of heterophils, monocytes, and eosinophils was observed with the elevation in the dietary Se level. The combination among vitamin E and Se levels produced a significant effect on all hematological parameters studied. As vitamin E increased, a marked decrease in serum AST and a gradual increase in total lipids, total cholesterol, and calcium were observed. As the level of dietary Se increased, serum total protein, albumin, T4, total cholesterol, and total lipids increased. No significant impacts were detected for the interaction among vitamin E and Se levels on any of blood constituents determined except serum globulin, ALT, and calcium. In conclusion, the combination between vitamin E and Se showed a good ability to alleviate the harmful impacts of heat stress and produced the highest productive performance when compared with the other groups, which exhibit the synergistic effect between the two antioxidants.

Having accurate data for ileal amino acid digestibility of a feed ingredient is one of the ways to enhance protein and nitrogen utilisation, improve poultry feeding efficiency, and mitigate ammonia emission and pollution in the environment. Moreover, the precise estimation of endogenous amino acid losses (EAAL) depends on formulating diets on digestible amino acid (DAA) basis. Numerous methods have been reported to determine the endogenous fractions including the regression method, the protein-free diet, and the total digestible nitrogen diet. The EAAL determined by these techniques can help in calculated corrected values for amino acid digestibility, termed true digestibility. Certain dietary components that can be called ‘specific losses’ could lead to higher losses than the basal calculation would indicate. To determine the basal plus specific losses (total endogenous losses), some researchers suggested the 15N-dilution method, which allows the determination of the actual digestibility. This method needs more studies and evaluations because there are some controversial issues about this methodology, such as the validity of the 15N-dilution technique when applied to any amino acid or to total nitrogen, the reference pool for the estimation of the labelling of endogenous fractions/secretions, anti-nutritional agents, the effect of bird age, mucin, different cereal grains, as well as the marker itself and the proper assessment. This review will be focused on the above issues, finding that the recently reported 15N isotopes single injection method could be an easy, time-saving, consistent, and reliable methodology for EAAL estimation in poultry.

An experiment was carried out at the field units of the north campus experimental areas in Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China. The experiment was conducted on summer season (June to September) to determine the effects of different planting patterns of maize and soybean intercropping in resource consumption on fodder yield and silage quality. The main treatments were one sole crop of maize (SM) and four maize-soybean intercropping patterns (1 row maize to 1 row soybean (1M1S), 1 row maize to 2 rows soybean (1M2S), 1 rows maize to 3 rows soybean (1M3S) and 2 rows maize to 1 row soybean (2M1S), respectively. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications, and plot size of 12 m by 5 m. The crops were harvested when the maize reached at milk stage and soybean at R7 stage. The result indicated significant increase in fresh biomass and dry matter production of maize fodder alone as compared to maize intercropped with soybean fodder. It was correlated with a higher consumption of environmental resources, such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil moisture by intercropping. After 45 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analyzed for pH, organic acids (Lactic, acetic, and butyric), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). It was concluded that in all intercropped silages, crude protein (CP) values were higher (1M1S, 12.1%; 1M2S, 12.2%; 1M3S, 12.4%; 2M1S, 12.1%) than the monocrop maize (SM, 8.7%) silage. Higher organic acids (p < 0.05) were produced in the 1M3S silages as compared to others silages. The study indicated that among all intercropped silages, the 1M3S (1 row maize to 3 rows soybean) was preferable according to nutrient composition than other intercropped silages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of quantitative feed restriction, along with dietary supplementation with a probiotic blend (Protexin) as a natural growth promoter, on the performance, water consumption, mortality rate and carcass traits of meat-type quails. A total of 250 1-day unsexed quails were randomly allocated to five equal groups in a completely randomized design. The first group (A) fed a basal diet without any restriction (24 hr/day); the second group (B1) fed the basal diet for 20 hr/day; the third group (B2) fed the basal diet enriched with probiotic (0.1 g/kg diet) for 20 hr/day; the fourth group (C1) fed the basal diet for 16 hr/day; and the fifth group (C2) fed the basal diet enriched with probiotic (0.1 g/kg diet) for 16 hr/day. Birds were fed ad-libitum from 0-14 days of age, and then the feed restriction regimes started from 14 till 28 days of age. Results showed that quails in the control-group consumed more feed and water than the other treatment groups (p .01), however their body weights did not differ (p .05) compared with the other treated groups. The best feed conversion values were achieved in quails supplemented with probiotic blend (B2 and C2) in comparison with the other groups (p .01). Feeding probiotic had a positive effect on bird health which reduced the mortality rate. Further, mortality rate was significantly reduced (p .05) by feed restriction, with or without probiotic supplementation. No carcass parameters were significantly affected (p .05) by treatments. Our results show that quail could be reared under a feed restriction system, for 4-8 hr daily, along with dietary supplementation of probiotic as growth promoter for better growth performance.

A study was conducted to examine the effects of different planting structure of maize (Zea maysL.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) intercropping on fodder production and silage quality.Maize was cultivated alone and intercropped with soybean as follows;1 row maize to 1 row soybean (1M1S),1 row maize to 2 rows soybean (1M2S) and 1 row maize to 3 rows soybean (1M3S).The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four treatments and three replications.The crops were harvested when the maize reached at heading stage (at about 35% dry matter).The results indicated significant increase in fresh biomass and dry matter production of maize fodder alone as compared to maize intercropped with soybean fodder.However,no difference (p>0.05) was observed in ether extract (EE ), ash (%)and acid detergent fibre (ADF) of nutrient composition of fodder among the four treatments.After 60 days of ensiling period,silage samples were analysed for pH,dry matter (DM),crude protein (CP),ether extract (EE),neutraldetergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC).All intercropped silages had higher CP values (1M1S,12.1%;1M2S,12.1%;1M3S,12.7%) than the monocrop maize (SM,8.4%) silage.The NDF and ADF levels were higher for maize silage as compared to intercropped silages. The study showed that among all intercropped silages the IM3S (1 row maize to 3 rows soybean) was preferable according to nutrient composition than other intercropped silages.

During the transition period, fatty liver syndrome may be caused in cows undergo negative energy balance, ketosis or hypocalcemia, retained placenta or mastitis problems. During the transition stage, movement of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increases into blood which declines the hepatic metabolism or reproduction and consequently, lactation performance of dairy cows deteriorates. Most of studies documented that, choline is an essential nutrient which plays a key role to decrease fatty liver, NEFA proportion, improve synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, maintain lactation or physiological function and work as anti-oxidant in the transition period of dairy cows. Also, it has a role in the regulation of homocysteine absorption through betaine metabolite which significantly improves plasma α-tocopherol and interaction among choline, methionine and vitamin E. Many studies reported that, supplementation of rumen protected form of choline during transition time is a sustainable method as rumen protected choline (RPC) perform diverse functions like, increase glucose level or energy balance, fertility or milk production, methyl group metabolism, or signaling of cell methionine expansion or methylation reactions, neurotransmitter synthesis or betaine methylation, increase transport of lipids or lipoproteins efficiency and reduce NEFA or triacylglycerol, clinical or sub clinical mastitis and general morbidity in the transition dairy cows. The purpose of this review is that to elucidate the choline importance and functions in the transition period of dairy cows and deal all morbidity during transition or lactation period. Furthermore, further work is needed to conduct more studies on RPC requirements in dairy cows ration under different feeding conditions and also to elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms of choline in ruminants industry.

The composition of major nutrients, i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), is a critical factor in banana cultivation and also influences crop yield. This study was aimed to analyze the concentrations of NPK in different banana growing locations of coastal areas of Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 15 composite soil samples at the depth of 0 - 15 and 15 - 30 cm and the same number of banana leaves were collected. The samples were analyzed for the concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn and Cl concentrations. Results showed that the surface and sub-surface soils of coastal areas were heavy in texture, non-saline, medium alkaline and moderately calcareous in nature. Medium to adequate in Organic Matter (OM), medium in total nitrogen, medium to optimum in available phosphorus, medium to high in exchangeable potassium and deficient in available zinc at both tested depths. The analysis of soluble anions indicated that the carbonates were absent and that chlorides were dominant as compared with bicarbonates. Nitrogen and zinc concentrations of banana leaves were below the critical level, whereas P, K, Mn and chloride ion concentration were above the critical levels. In addition, the relative percentages for K, Ca and Mg were 57.72 to 61.72, 19.05 to 21.00 and 17.70 to 20.00 respectively.

The heterosis, heterobeltiosis, general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were examined during Rabi (crop season) of 2013-2014 in hexaploid wheat genotypes. The experiment for this study was conducted at the Botanical Garden, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan. The breeding material was comprised of four parents (Imdad, TD-1, SKD-1, and Moomal). These parents were crossed in half partial mating fashion; thus, six possible cross combinations (F1s) were obtained (Imdad × TD-1, Imdad × SKD-1, Imdad × Moomal, TD-1 × SKD-1, TD-1 × Moomal, and SKD-1 × Moomal). A three-replicated RCB Design was used. The mean squares corresponding to different traits of various hexaploid wheat genotypes indicated significant (P < 0.01) GCA (parents) and SCA (F1 hybrids) effects for the characters (plant height, tillers plant-1, spike length, spikelets spike-1, seeds spike-1, seed index, and grain yield plant-1). The mean performance of F1 hybrids differed significantly (P < 0.01) for all the traits studied. Among the parents, Imdad and TD-1 proved to be better general combiners for almost all the studied traits. In regards to SCA effects, the F1 hybrids Imdad × TD-1 and Imdad × SKD-1 expressed higher SCA and heterotic effects for most of the studied traits.

This study was conducted to assess the influence of dietary protein content in poultry when using the 15N-leucine single-injection method to determine endogenous amino acid losses (EAALs) in poultry. Forty-eight cecectomized roosters (2.39 ± 0.23 kg) were randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments containing protein levels of 0, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15%, 18% and 21%. Each bird was precisely fed an experimental diet of 25 g/kg of body weight. After feeding, all roosters were subcutaneously injected with a 15N-leucine solution at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight. Blood was sampled 23 h after the injection, and excreta samples were continuously collected during the course of the 48-h experiment. The ratio of 15N-enrichment of leucine in crude mucin to free leucine in plasma ranged from 0.664 to 0.763 and remained relatively consistent (P > 0.05) across all treatments. The amino acid (AA) profiles of total endogenous AAs, except isoleucine, alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, proline and serine, were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary protein contents. The predominant endogenous AAs in the excreta were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, threonine, serine and proline. The order of the relative proportions of these predominant AAs also remained relatively constant (P > 0.05). The endogenous losses of total AAs determined with the 15N-leucine single-injection method increased curvilinearly with the dietary protein contents. The true digestibility of most AAs and total AAs was independent of their respective dietary protein levels. Collectively, the 15N-leucine single-injection method is appropriate for determining EAALs and the true digestibility of AAs in poultry fed varying levels of protein-containing ingredients.

A study was conducted using 162 Bovans laying hens to investigate the impacts of extra dietary vitamin A (0, 8000, 16,000 IU/kg), selenium (0, 0.25, 0.50 mg/kg), and their combinations on the performance, egg quality, and blood biological parameters of laying hens during summer months. Supplemental vitamin A up to 16,000 IU/kg diet significantly (P

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of varying proportion of Nigella sativa meal (NSM) in the diets with or without Avizyme supplementation on growing Japanese quail performance. A 4 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted including four levels of NSM (0%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the diet) and two levels of dietary Avizyme supplementation (0 or 0.5 g/kg diet) through the growing period (1–6 weeks of age). A total number of 600 unsexed 1-week-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly distributed into eight treatment groups. The effects of NSM inclusion levels were highly significant (P < 0.01) on the values of live bodyweight, daily bodyweight gain and daily feed intake at all periods studied. The incorporation of 10% NSM of the diet recorded the best values of live bodyweight and daily bodyweight gain compared with the Control and other NSM levels. Quail fed diets contained 10% or 15% NSM had higher (P < 0.01) daily feed intake than those in the Control, but feed conversion ratio was not statistically affected at all studied ages. All carcass traits studied were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by feeding the NSM diet. The digestion coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and nitrogen-free extract were significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) increased in chicks fed diets containing 10% NSM as compared with the Control. Quail fed diets including 10% or 15% NSM had increased serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and a higher A : G ratio. All serum lipid constituents except high density lipoprotein were at lower (P < 0.01) concentrations in blood serum of quail fed diets containing NSM. Using NSM at level of 20% of the diet had a negative impact on growth, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility. Neither Avizyme supplementation alone nor the interaction between NSM and Avizyme had any statistically impact on all studied parameters. It can be concluded that NSM could be included in growing quail diets up to 15% without any Avizyme supplementation to support growth performance and feed utilisation, however higher NSM levels negatively affected performance, carcass traits and nutrient digestibility.

In order to investigate influence of feeding interval along with supplementation of growth promoter on the performance of quails; 150 day-old chicks were reared for 28 days, divided equally in groups A, B1, B2, C1 and C2. The birds in group A were fed ad libitum (control), while birds in group B1 fed for twenty hours, B2 fed for twenty hours also supplemented with growth promoter, group C1 fed for sixteen hours and C2 group was fed for sixteen hours also supplemented with growth promoter, respectively. The results showed that feed restriction and growth promoter had significant (P0.05) between the groups however, higher 92.3g/b in group B2 and 91.9 g/b for C2 than 91.2g/b, 86.9g/b and 86.0 g/b resulted for C1, B1 and A, respectively. FCR was highly significant (P0.05) between the groups however carcass weight was ranged from 43.7 g/b to 49.00 g/b in group A and C2 after 4 weeks and dressing percentage was ranged from 50.6 to 53.0 in groups A and C2. Data for liver, heart, gizzard and non-edible parts were statistically non-significant (P>0.05) between the groups. Quails of group B2 generated higher net profit of 10.409 than C2, C1, B1 and A generated income of 10.334, 9.334, 7.525 and 5.578 Rs/quail, respectively.

A study was carried out to evaluate the comparative nutritive value of cotton seed cake and cotton seed meal in Thalli and Sipli breeds to assess their fattening potential. 60 male lambs, 30 each of Thalli (T) and Sipli (S) of almost equal weight and age were selected. Lambs of each breed were further sub-divided into two equal groups of 15 animals each TA, TB, SA and SB. Each group consisted of three replicates of 5 animals each. Two isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental rations i.e. A and B were formulated using cottonseed cake and cotton seed meal as major vegetable protein source. Ration A was allotted to group TA and SA; and ration B was allotted to TB and SB. The effect of feeding cottonseed cake and cottonseed meal on the growth rate, feed consumption and feed utilization was recorded. There was non-significant difference in fattening potential between both breeds. However, there was an increasing tendency in fattening potential for Thalli than Sipli lambs. Nevertheless, there was significant increase in feed consumption of lambs fed on ration A containing cotton seed cake. The digestibility of ether extract was significantly higher for ration B containing cotton seed meal and there was non-significant increasing tendency for the digestibility of crude ash in experimental ration B on both breeds of sheep. It might be attributed to the poor condensed palatability of cotton seed meal as compared to cotton seed cake.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of benzoic, acetic and formic acid supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers. One hundred fifty, a day-old broiler chicks were procured from a local commercial hatchery and randomly divided into four treatment groups. Each group having thirty chicks was further sub divided into three replicates, ten chicks each. Group A, B, C were supplemented with 0.5% benzoic, acetic and formic acid, respectively, while group D was control. Data on growth performance in terms of body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio was noted on weekly basis. Blood sample were collected (2 birds/replicate) at 28 and 35 day of experiment to check the antibody titer against Newcastle disease and Infectious Bursal disease, respectively. Comparison by LSD test among different treatments showed that maximum weight gain was found in treatment C (formic acid) and minimum in D (control group). Significantly best feed conversion ratio was found in treatment C (formic acid) and poorer was found in treatment D (control group). The maximum significant value of IBD antibody titer (96.00GMT) was found in treatment C (formic acid) and minimum (41.67GMT) in treatment A (benzoic acid). However, the best result against ND antibody titer (104.67GMT) was found in treatment D (control group). Statistical analysis of the data on dressing percentage, breast meat, thigh meat and giblet organs weight e.g. liver, heart and gizzard revealed non-significant effect among the dietary treatment group. It was concluded that addition of organic acids (benzoic, acetic and formic) is helpful to improve weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of the birds, these factors are specifically related to efficient and economical broiler production.

This study was conducted to document the ethno-veterinary practices (EVPs) used for treatment of different ailments in cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep in district Charsadda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 61 Ethno-Veterinary Practices (EVPs) comprising of 37 based on plants, 14 based on combination of plants and animal products/chemicals/organic matter and 6 based on animal products/chemicals/organic matter were documented for 13 conditions of cattle and buffalo. Usage of 51 EVPs comprising 32 based on plants, 16 based on combination of plants and animal products/chemicals/organic matter, 3 based on animal products, chemicals or organic matter and one religious practice were documented for nine conditions of goat and sheep. A total of 75 EVPs comprising of 41 based on plants, 19 based on combination of plants and animal products/chemicals/organic matter, 15 based on animal products/chemicals/organic matter and one religious practice were documented for 13 conditions in buffaloes, cattle, goat and sheep by traditional veterinary healers. In the present study, 23 families representing 40 species were reported by the respondents. Families representing ≥ 2 species included Poaceae (Hordeum vulgare L., Oryza sativa L., Apiaceae (Trachyspermumammi (L.) Sprague ex Turrill. Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Ferula assafoetida L. and Coriandrum sativum L.), Solanaceae (Capsicumaunnum L., Capsicum frutescens L., Nicotianatabacum L.), Zingiberaceae (Curcuma longa Roscoe, Amomumsubulatum Roxb., were group of families representing plant species used in more than three disease conditions in animal species selected for the present study. The Remedies were prepared by pulverization, soaking in water and decoctions and administered per as or applied topically the parts of plants used commonly included pepper-corns, bulbs, flowers, leaves, rhizomes, seeds and fruits. The EVPs that claimed to be effective need to be validated using scientific procedures and their quality, safety and standardization of doses should be assured.

The study on the isolation of Salmonella in raw milk marketed in Tandojam town was carried out and raw milk samples were collected from village Saleh Makrani, Tandojam city and Moosa Khatiyan. Eleven milk samples from Saleh Makrani, thirty from Tandojam city and eleven from Moosa Khatiyan were collected which totaled 52 samples. Results indicated that of 2 milk samples collected from Village Saleh Makrani, 2 from Moosa Khatiyan and 4 from Tandojam city were found positive for Salmonella. Of the total 52 milk samples, Salmonella species was confirmed in eight samples. The overall prevalence of Salmonella was in the minimummaximum range of 13.33-18.18 percent, showing average Salmonella prevalence of 15.38 percent. Hence the prevalence of Salmonella in milk was relatively higher in the samples collected from village of Haji Muhammad Saleh and Mossa Khatiyan.