A total of seventy irrigation water samples were collected from Leh, Ladakh, India, to determine their hydrochemistry profile and water quality for irrigation purposes. Water quality indices such as total hardness (TH), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), potential salinity (PS), permeability index (PI), Kelly's ratio (KR), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), corrosivity ratio (CR), and chloroalkaline indices (CAI) were measured. The Piper diagram, Durov's diagram, and United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) diagram were drawn to determine the water types, ion exchange processes, and rock–soil–water interaction. The findings indicated that the hydrochemical characteristics of irrigation water are naturally alkaline. Furthermore, water quality parameters revealed that the study area’s surface water is suitable for irrigation purposes, despite relatively high TH and MH levels. The level of CR indicated that water should not be transported using metal pipes. The CAI and Durov's plot indicated direct ionic exchange processes controlling water chemistry. Additionally, this irrigation water is mainly dominated by the Ca2+–Cl−–SO42−, Na+–K+–CaCO3 + HCO3−, and Na+–K+–Cl− type, which indicates silicate rock weathering along with some anthropogenic input. The USSL salinity diagram indicated a medium salinity and low Na hazard. Hence, it is concluded that the rock weathering cycle is the natural source of all the cations and anions, and these ions pass directly from water to rock and vis-à-vis, along with some input of anthropogenic activity.
Leh-Ladakh, India is situated at 3000-3500 m above mean sea level, where harsh climatic environment is characterized by hypobaric-hypoxia, low humidity, high UV radiation and extreme variation in ambient temperature (-20 to +30ºC), which causes high-altitude stress to poultry. Hence, not much progress has been made in poultry rearing in this region, as high altitude causes high mortality and poor growth resulting in heavy loss of farm economy. The present field survey was conducted to study the farmer’s choice, existing farm resources, market opportunity, and social awareness on modern poultry rearing. Hence, many villages, viz. Chuchot, Shey, Phyang, Thicksey, Basgo, Skurbuchan, Skara, Ranbirpura of Leh-Ladakh were surveyed. The survey findings indicated that few progressive farmers are practicing backyard poultry rearing which plays an important role in the rural economy and women empowerment. It was found that the average flock size reared per family was small and farmers preferred colour plumage birds. The coops for chicken are mainly made up of double walled under or semi-underground mud houses for better insulation and heat retention during winter. Shelters are provided during night, whereas pasture or open field gazing is practiced during day time even in winters. Farmers rear birds throughout summers and self-consume or even sell them in three to four times higher price during winters when the demand is very high. Poultry farming among more farmers in more villages with help from state departments and different NGO will definitely strengthen poultry farming in this region. DIHAR (Defence Institute of High Altitude Research) a premium institute, also working in poultry science can further help these farmers in providing a complete package of basic training on management practices and even in distribution of high altitude adapted chicks to uplift farmer’s interest and promote poultry farming in this region.
Background: Leh-Ladakh is situated at an altitude of 3500 m above mean sea level which poses many climatic challenges to the dwellers and animals of this region including the chickens. Chicken rearing is a huge challenge keeping in view the fact that Leh does not have a native chicken breed of its own that is adapted to this conditions. It is necessary to have an high-altitude adapted chicken breed in order to meet the demands of fresh chicken meat and eggs for the locals and the armies deployed in Ladakh. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate growth performances like body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), hematological and serum-biochemical parameters of broiler chicken reared at high altitude. Methods: During the experimental period the birds were fed according to the rations scale formulated by DIHAR for broiler chicken at high altitude. Body weight was taken weekly up-to 28th week and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated up to 7th week. Blood samples were collected on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th week of the birds age. Whole blood was used to study different hematological parameters while serum sample was used to study various biochemical parameters. Result: It was found that broiler reared at high altitude attained 701.3 g at 7th week of their age whereas lowlander broilers are known to attain the equivalent weight by 4th 5th week. Mean FCR by 7th week was found to be 2.38. Among various hematological parameters, hemoglobin (%) increased with the age of birds. Red blood cell also increased with the age. Drop in hematocrit (%) and mean corpuscular volume (fl) value was observed at 14th week and then it increased by 21st and 28th week of age. There was increase in value of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration at 14th and 21st week. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate value also dropped with age. Among biochemical parameters; calcium, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid was observed to increase with age of the birds whereas triglyceride decreased from 7th week to 28th, thus indicating that the birds are adapting to the environmental condition of high altitude.
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