Vol. 11, Special Issue 11 (2022)

The present study was carried out with the objectives to determine the optimum level of incorporation of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes, chicory root powder and their combination by in vitro experiment. Sixteen healthy Gir calves of around one year of age were randomly selected from herd maintained at cattle breeding farm. Initially 2 Gir calves have been used to collect rumen liquor for in vitro study. Experimental calves were randomly divided on body weight basis into 4 groups having 4 calves in each group for in vivo study. The experimental feed was prepared using seasonal dry fodder as roughage and BIS type-1 compound cattle feed as concentrate in the ratio of 60:40. As a feed additive five different levels of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) (0, 25000, 50000, 100000, 200000 IU per kg of concentrate) and five different levels of chicory root powder (CRP) (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3% of concentrate) were used. The in vitro study was conducted to determine the In vitro Total Gas Production (IVTGP) with basal diet as substrate supplemented with various levels of fibrolytic enzyme, chicory root powder and combination to arrive at the optimum level of incorporation of these supplements for in vivo studies. The statistical analysis of data revealed significant effect of level of incorporation of different feed additives alongwith experimental feed on in vitro gas production. The result revealed significantly higher (p<0.01) IVTGP at 1% level of incorporation of CRP and 50,000 IU of EFE per kg of concentrate while in combination 1% CRP + 50000 IU of EFE showed statistically significant value of (p<0.05) IVTGP.