In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Kinetics Determination and Nutritional Evaluation of Several Non-Conventional Plants with Potential for Ruminant Feeding

Abstract

Using invasive plants as non-conventional forage in livestock production can contribute to meeting climate change targets and provide a competitive advantage in a global market. This study evaluated the nutritional potential of several non-conventional plants: Pennisetum setaceum, Ricinus communis, Arundo donax, Acacia melanoxylon, Opuntia ficus-indica, Agave americana, Pittosporum undulatum, and Hedychium gardnerianum. Chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, gas production, and energy estimates were determined. Opuntia showed the lowest DM value (6.65%), while the highest was found for Acacia (39.43%). Ricinus recorded the highest levels of CP (23.56% DM), RFV (273.86), and in vitro gas production at 24 h (43.49 mL/200 mg DM). The highest NDF (80.39% DM), HEM (39.03% DM), and CEL (36.81% DM) values were observed for Pennisetum. Agave produced the highest amount of gas from the start to the end of incubation (22.68 to 48.99 mL/200 mg DM), while Acacia produced the least (3.83 to 14.78 mL/200 mg DM). The highest ME (8.72 MJ/kg DM) and NEL (5.06 MJ/kg DM) estimates were obtained for Agave. Correlations between the chemical compositions and feed quality indices of the plants were observed, showing strong negative correlations between ADF and DMD, OMD, and DMI (r > 0.86, p < 0.01). We can conclude that all these non-conventional plants have potential as an alternative feed for ruminants when there are fodder shortages.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Integration in the Regular Monitorization of Pasture Nutritional Properties and Gas Production

“…Being of volcanic origin, the soils of the Azorean islands can be characterized as andosols [11], with Terceira Island standing out for its affinity to agriculture (Figure 1), with large portions of land used for this purpose, as a result of the higher quality of its soils for this activity. The climate of the Azores is temperate and characterized by high relative atmospheric humidity, which can reach up to 95% in high-altitude native forests.…”

Temporal dynamics of volatile fatty acids profile, methane production, and prokaryotic community in an in vitro rumen fermentation system fed with maize silage

“…Since in vitro rumen fermentation is usually performed for 24–96 h ( Bogat and Brune, 2003 ; Choi et al, 2021 ; Sucu et al, 2022 ; Kim et al, 2023 ; Li et al, 2023 ; Maduro Dias et al, 2023 ), comparisons of in vitro rumen fermentation features and microbiome composition at shorter time intervals have not been conducted in previous trials, limiting the identification of optimal time points for sample collection that could be useful to understand the fermentation process, microbial dynamics, VFA, and CH 4 production. Contrary to the previous studies cited, the aim of this study was to investigate the temporal dynamics of rumen bacterial and archaeal communities combined with CH 4 and VFA production at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h of incubation and develop mathematical models to predict the outcomes of fermentations when certain chemical results, such as dDM, VFA, and CH 4 , are not available.…”