Mapping Pasture Larval Counts and Nematode Trends in Livestock in the Parbhani Region, India

Abstract

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are widespread in grazing ruminants across the world. The present study was conducted to plot the bioclimatographs of helminthic infections occurring in livestocks during January 2022 to January 2023. A total of 253 faecal samples collected from calves and adult cattle revealed an overall prevalence of 29.6%, with 75 samples testing positive. The study conducted on the availability of larvae on pasture revealed an overall prevalence of 60.8 percent (87 pastures were positive out of 143 examined).  The PLC analysis showed the highest distribution of larvae on pasture during the winter season  (87.71 %), followed by the monsoon season  (57.81 %), and 00.0% during the summer season. The Pasture larval count observed was 23.83, 33.07, and 0.00 per 100 gm, during monsoon, winter and summer season respectively. The bioclimatographs plotted for 2000-2021 and its validation with real-time data of 2022 ( Feb 2022-Jan 2023) was a) Suitable months for survival of  Heamonchus and Oesophagostomum infective larvae on the pasture of the grazing land in year 2022-2023 were Jan - March and  June – September and for  Trichostrongylus  Jan – March and October 2022- January 2023 and b)The climatic data and Bioclimatograph were plotted from year 2000-2021 and 2022 - January 2023 showed the correlation between EPG and PLC. The bioclimatographs can be developed and utilized according to the regional agro-climatic variations and be useful for devising control measures against gastrointestinal nematodes of livestock.