Diets of cattle grazing crested wheatgrass [Agropyron deserrorum (Fisch.) Schult.] or native range pastures and major forage species in these diets were analysed for crude protein (CP), acid and neutral detergent fiber (ADF and NDF), lignin, and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) 1975-1978. Objectives were to determine (1) rate of change in forage quality, (2) effect of weather on rate of change, and (3) degree of selection for diet quality by cattle. CP of 6 forage species declined .03-.23 percentage points/ day, while IVDMD declined .06-.90 points/day. CP and IVDMD of western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.), blue grama [Bocrteloua grucifis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Steud.], and scarlet globemallow [Spaherulcea coccinea (Pursh.) Rydb.] were high in spring, while ADF, NDF, and lignin were low, but quality of grasses decreased much faster than that of the forb. Quality of needleandthread (Stipu comata Trin. & Rupr.) was lower than that of the other two grasses in spring, but CP declined more slowly then, while IVDMD declined at the same rates as that of blue grama and western wheatgmss. Quality of sedges (Cruex spp.) was similar to that of western wheatgmss and blue grama in spring, but CP decreased faster while fiber components increased slower than those of grasses. CP of western wheatgrass and blue grama was increased by abundant spring rainfall, while that of blue grama increased after heavy summer mins. As the season progressed, cattle on range selected diets higher in crude protein and lower in cellulose than expected on the basis of botanical composition of the diet and composition of individual species. Quality of forage consumed increased markedly in mid-July when immature blue grama replaced needleandthread in the diet. Quality of crested wheatgmss declined faster than that of range grasses, although it was higher early in the spring. Diets of cattle on crested wheatgmss pasture in early spring were lower in quality than clipped crested wheatgmss, because of consumption of standing dead material, but diets were higher in quality than clipped grass in late spring.

The present study attempts to examine the scenario of buffalo production in Bangladesh. The buffalo plays a very important role in the South Asian region which constitutes 77.5% of world buffalo population. This region has a great biodiversity in buffalo germplasm, including the world famous source promising buffaloes Murrah and Nili-Ravi -renowned for high milk production potential. It is estimated that about 96.05 % of Asia and 93.19 % of world buffalo milk are produced in South Asian countries. Besides, buffalo milk in South Asian countries is around 54.95 % of the total milk production. The India and Pakistan share 67.99% and 23.96%, of world buffalo milk production respectively. About 71.4% of world buffalo meat is produced in South Asian countries. Although buffalo is an integral part of livestock production system in South Asian countries, it has never been addressed in Bangladesh and always neglected despite their important role in the national economy. In Bangladesh, the total buffalo population are 1.464 million heads that are managed in household subsistence farming as well as extensive free range (Bathan) farming in saline coastal region that are used as a draught animal and partially for milk and meat production. The contribution of buffalo in total milk and meat production in Bangladesh is only 2.0% and 0.94%, respectively. This review has tried to unearth the present scenario of buffalo production in Bangladesh, describing the benefits and values of buffalo milk and meat, advantages of buffalo husbandry over cattle, constraints in buffalo production and recommendations for buffalo development in Bangladesh.

The present article addresses the scenario of chicken genetic resources, their production and reproduction performances and their conservation in Bangladesh. The chickens, among other poultry species available in the country, are the most versatile component for meat and egg production. The chicken germplasms available in the country are indigenous, exotic, crossbred, and commercial hybrid. The indigenous chicken population is comprised of Non-descript Desi (ND), Naked Neck (NN), Aseel (AS), Hilly (H), Native Dwarf and Jungle Fowl etc. The exotic chicken such as, White Leghorn (WL), White Rock (WR), White Cornish (WC), Rhode Island Red (RIR), Australorp, Fayoumi, Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR) etc. are imported mostly to upgrade the indigenous stock. The crossbred of different chickens are used in the country in intensive, semi-intensive and scavenging management system. The commercial hybrid such as grandparent stock (GP), parent stock (PS), commercial broiler, commercial layer etc. has got most popularity for meat and egg production in the country. Conservation and improvement program of endangered native chicken such as Aseel and Native Dwarf chicken should be taken both in-situ or ex-situ in vivo by public sector/research institutes/universities. SAARC J. Agri., 17(1): 119-134 (2019)

Isolation and identification of probiotic bacteria are the prerequisites for their safer use in the food and feed industry. The objectives of the present study were the isolation of probiotic bacteria from the selective gastrointestinal tract of poultry obtained from Khulna and Barisal Divisions, and their identification based on bacterial morphological characterization and biochemical property analysis. Ten potential native probiotics were isolated from the poultry gastrointestinal tract and assayed for their morphological, physiological and biochemical properties. It was observed that, all the isolates were rod-shaped, gram-positive, endospore-negative, catalase-negative, non-motile and were able to ferment particular sugars which are an indicator for typical probiotic bacteria. The sugar fermentation pattern, ability to survive and growth in inhibitory substances like 1-4% NaCl, 0.3% bile salt as well as their ability to grow in different temperatures and pH levels ensured the presumptive identification of the lactic acid bacteria. All the ten isolates exhibited a clear zone of inhibition when they were grown with five enteric pathogens which are indicative of their antimicrobial activity. Ten isolates were assayed for their susceptibility to eight antibiotics using the disc diffusion method. All the isolates were resistant to tetracycline and nalidixic acid. Further research regarding molecular characterization and identification of specific genes using different technologies may open the door to utilize these isolates in different probiotic-based inventions. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 27 (1&2), 2020: P. 39-54

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms which have enormous health benefits. Yogurt is a potential source of probiotic bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria are the most common and major group of probiotic bacteria that can be found easily in different dairy products. The aim of study was the genetic diversity analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker from regional yogurt samples of Bangladesh. Ten probiotic isolates from yogurt samples of different sweet meat shops of Sylhet and Mymensingh Divisions of Bangladesh were used. Morphological and biochemical tests were performed to ensure the presumptive probiotic characteristics of isolated bacteria. All isolates were cultured in De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium to exhort the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Genomic DNA was extracted by Ampicillin Lysozyme Tandem method. Four random RAPD primers were used in this study for detecting genetic diversity of these isolated bacteria. Among them, OPA 18 showed the maximum number of reproducible bands. Nei’s genetic distance was performed for determining Pair-wise Genetic Distance. UPGMA and NJ dendrogram were performed based on molecular data showing that all the isolates could be divided into two major clusters. Data analysis revealed that isolates from the same location were closely related and showed less genetic variation whereas, isolates from geographically different regions exhibited more genetic diversity. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 27 (1&2), 2020: P. 55-63