Vol. 11, Issue 1 (2022)

Author(s):
Nagunuri Shruthilaya, Suresh Rahod, N Rajanna, P Jaya Laxmi and DBV Ramana

Abstract:
A study was conducted for 75 days to assess the incorporation of Spineless Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) on the growth perforamce of Nellore lambs. Eighteen growing Nellore lambs of uniform body weight (20.5 kg) and age (232 days) were randomly allotted to three groups and fed with one of the three diets namely, basal diet containing super napier (T₀), 20 per cent spineless cactus along with super napier (T₁) and 40 per cent spineless cactus along with super napier (T₂). All the lambs were supplemented with concentrate mixture @ 2 percent of the body weight. The average daily dry matter intake (kg/day) was 0.90 ±0.01,0.87 ±0.01 and 0.86 ±0.01 for T₀, T₁ and T₂ groups, respectively and the differences were statistically significant (P< 0.05). Nellore lambs in T₀, T₁ and T₂ group had an average daily gain (g) of 76.00±1.53, 72.22±2.18 and 70.00±1.18 g, respectively during 75 days experimental period and the differences were non-significant. At the end of the growth trial, a five-day digestibility trial was conducted on all the lambs to assess the digestibility of nutrients in experimental diets. Higher (P< 0.05) digestibility of DM and OM observed in spineless cactus supplemented group lambs (T₁ and T₂). Water intake was significantly (P< 0.05) lower in group T₂ compared to T₀ and T₁ lambs. It was concluded that spineless cactus could be a good unconventional, valuable fodder resource especially in rainfed drylands and could replace other feed stuffs like super Napier.