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The effects of dietary inclusion of dried Leucaena leucocephala leaves (DLL) on nutrient digestibility, fermentation parameters, microbial rumen population, and production of enteric methane (CH4) in crossbred heifers were evaluated. Four heifers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design consisting of four periods and four levels of inclusion of DLL: 0%, 12%, 24%, and 36% of dry matter (DM) intake. Results showed that DM intake (DMI), organic matter intake, and gross energy intake (GEI) were similar (p > 0.05) among treatments. Apparent digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and energy decreased with increasing levels of DLL in the ration (p < 0.05). In contrast, digestible crude protein (CP) was higher (p < 0.05) in treatments with 12% and 24% DM of DLL. The inclusion of DLL did not affect (p > 0.05) rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids. Rumen microbial community was not affected (p > 0.05) by treatment. There was a linear reduction (p < 0.05) in CH4 emissions as the levels of DLL in the ration were increased. Results of this study suggest that an inclusion of 12% DM of ration as DLL enhances digestible CP and reduces daily production of enteric CH4 without adversely affecting DMI, rumen microbial population, and fermentation parameters.

Effects of tannins and saponins contained in foliage of Gliricidia sepium and pods of Enterolobium cyclocarpum on fermentation, methane emissions and rumen microbial population in crossbred heifers.The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) believes that open access contributes to its mission of reducing hunger and poverty, and improving human nutrition in the tropics through research aimed at increasing the eco-efficiency of agriculture.CIAT is committed to creating and sharing knowledge and information openly and globally. We do this through collaborative research as well as through the open sharing of our data, tools, and publications. Effects of tannins and saponins contained in foliage of Gliricidia sepium and pods of Enterolobium cyclocarpum on fermentation, methane emissions and rumen microbial population in crossbred heifers, Animal Feed Science and Technology (2019), https://doi. AbstractIncorporation of foliage and pods of tropical legumes in ruminant rations is an alternative to mitigate enteric methane emissions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of adding increasing levels of ground pods of Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. mixed with foliage of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. on emissions of ruminal methane (CH4), volatile fatty acid proportions, rumen pH and microbial population in cattle. Four heifers (218 ±18 kg LW) were fed (13 days) 0, 15, 30, and 45% of pods of E. cyclocarpum mixed with foliage of G. sepium, which were supplemented to a basal ration of Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. Data were analyzed as a 4×4 Latin square. After three days of CH4 measurements in open-circuit respiration chambers, rumen fluid was collected to determine volatile fatty acid (VFA) molar proportions and quantify the microbial population. Samples of ration ingredients, refusals and feces were collected to evaluate nutrient composition. Foliage and pods of legumes provided crude protein (CP), condensed tannins (CT) and saponins, while grass was characterized by higher concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Dry matter intake (DMI) was 5.35 kg/day on average (P=0.272). Apparent fiber digestibility was reduced (81 g/kg) and digestible CP intake (13 g/kg) increased when E. cyclocarpum mixed with G. sepium in rations were given (P<0.05). Incorporation of legume foliage and pods had a linear effect on molar proportions of butyric acid and acetic to propionic acid ratio (P<0.05). Methane production, expressed on basis to digestible dry matter intake (DDMI), ranged between 43.22 and 49.94 g/kg DDMI (P=0.131) and when CH4 was related to digestible CP (347 vs. 413 g CH4 /kg DCP) or annual weight gains (0.30 vs. 0.38 kg CH4/kg weight gain, P<0.001) there were differences between the E. cyclocarpum mixed with G. sepium rations compared to the control treatment, respectively.Rumen population of total bacteria, methanogenic archaea, and total protozoa was not affected by the increasing levels of condensed tannins and saponins in rations (P>0.05).Substitut...