COULD HERBAL ALOE VERA (Aloe Barbadensis) BE A GROWTH STIMULANT FOR TROPICAL BUFFALO CALVES?

The present study was envisaged to explore the potential growth stimulant effect of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) as phytogenic feed additive in the ration of buffalo calves in tropics. Fifteen Murrah buffalo calves of either sex between 3 to 6 months of age were selected from the Buffalo Research Center of Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana. Based on nearness in body weight and age, fifteen calves were divided into three groups, five in each. Group T1 served as Control (fed with Basal diet), while in T2, calves were fed basal diet with aloe vera leaves 2 g/kg BW and in T3 group was fed basal diet with aloe vera leaves 4 g/kg BW. Animals were fed and met the nutrient requirements in all the groups according to ICAR-2013 feeding standards. At the end of the experiment, our results revealed a significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight in T3 as compared to T1, however body weight of T2 remained similar (P>0.05) with both T1 and T3 group. Body weight gain and Average daily gain over the experimental period were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 followed by T2 and was found lowest in T1. Body length, abdominal girth and heart girth of the buffalo calves were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T3 as compared to T1 but it did not differ significantly (P>0.05) from T2. However, body height (cm) of the buffalo calves at different fortnights remained statistically similar (P>0.05) in all Treatment groups. Therefore, aloe vera as phytogenic feed additive at 4 g/kg BW in the diet of Murrah buffalo calves has growth stimulant effects, in tropics.