Impact of total dissolved solids in drinking water on nutrient utilisation and growth performance of Murrah buffalo calves

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of total dissolved solids (TDS) in drinking water on nutrient intake, utilisation and performance of growing Murrah buffaloes under tropical climatic conditions (maximum ambient temperature (Tmax)=10-42.6 °C; relative humidity (RH)=10-100%). Twenty male Murrah buffalo calves were divided according to body weight (BW=220±36 kg) into 5 groups viz. 557, 2571, 4467, 6113 and 8789 which were offered water containing TDS 557, 2571, 4467, 6113 and 8789 mg/L, respectively for a period of 165 days. Animals in all groups were offered a total mixed ration (crude protein=10.3% and metabolisable energy=8.6 MJ/kg dry matter) prepared from green oats, concentrate mixture and wheat straw in 20:35:45 proportion daily. Results revealed an increase in the concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) ions with increasing levels of TDS in drinking water. Daily drinking water (L/100 kg BW) and dry matter intake (kg/100 kg BW) decreased (P<0.05) by 36.1% and 17.2% in group 8789 as compared to group 557. Similarly, average daily gain (g/d) and nitrogen intake (g/d) was lower (P<0.05) in groups 6113 and 8789 in comparison to all other groups. However, nutrient digestibility and concentration of major minerals (Na, Ca, K and Mg) in plasma showed non significant differences among the groups. Overall it can be concluded that TDS level >4500 mg/L in drinking water adversely affected water and feed intake which ultimately resulted in reduced growth performance of Murrah buffalo calves.