Effect of Pesticides on in Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation

Six commonly used pesticides viz., endosulphan (organo-chlorine), monocrotophos, chlorpyriphos, methyl-parathion, dimethoate (organo-phosphorous) and cypermethrin (synthetic pyrethroid) were tested for their effects on in vitro feed digestibility. These pesticides were tested at 100 ppm concentration during 48 h incubations period. All the pesticides reduced (P<0.01) dry matter digestibility, however, effects of endosulphan and chlorpyriphos were more prominent. Endosulphan followed by chloropyriphos adversely (P<0.01) affected TVFA concentration in incubation medium compared to other pesticides. Thus, pesticides exhibited adverse effect on dry matter disappearance and rumen fermentation under in vitro system.