Ruminal fermentation, methanogenesis and nitrogen utilization of sheep receiving tropical grass hay-concentrate diets offered withSapindus saponariafruits andCratylia argenteafoliage

Abstract

The effects of supplementing a tropical, low-quality grass hay (Brachiaria dictyoneura) with legume foliage (Cratylia argentea) or fruits of the multipurpose tree Sapindus saponaria on ruminal fermentation, methane release and nitrogen (N) utilization were evaluated. Six Swiss White Hill lambs were used in a 6 ✕ 6 Latin-square design with a 3 ✕ 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with measurements of energy metabolism being conducted using open-circuit respiratory chambers. Treatments consisted of three basal diets, either grass alone or legume: grass ratios of 1: 2 or 2: 1. These basal diets were supplemented (1: 3) with a control concentrate or with a concentrate containing 250 g/kg dry matter of S. saponaria fruits. The apparent total tract digestibilities of organic matter (OM) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) were reduced and the proportionate crude protein (CP) losses through faeces were increased (P 0·01) by supplementation with S. saponaria, and digestibilities of OM and NDF were linearly reduced (P 0·001) with increasing legume proportion. Body energy retention, however, was similar in all diets. Along with CP intake, the proportionate CP losses through faeces decreased (P 0·001) with increasing legume proportion which was associated with improved (P 0·001) body protein retention and reduced (P 0·1) fat retention. Ruminal fluid ammonia concentration was not significantly affected (P > 0·1) by the inclusion of S. saponaria in the concentrate, but increased linearly (P 0·001) as dietary legume proportion was elevated. Supplementation with fruits of S. saponaria increased (P 0·01) total bacteria count, and decreased (P 0·001) total ciliate protozoa count by more than proportionately 0·50. Daily methane release was reduced (P 0·01) by S. saponaria supplementation in all basal diet types. Although being not clearly affected on a daily basis, methane release relative to body protein retention decreased linearly (P 0·05) with increasing legume proportion. The fact that interactions were mostly non-significant (P > 0·05) indicates that supplementation with S. saponaria fruits is a useful means to reduce methane emission from sheep given both tropical grass-based and grass-legume-based diets. Likewise, including legumes in N-limited tropical diets seems to represent an environmentally friendly way to improve animal productivity.

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf pellet can manipulate rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrient degradability

“…Moreover, in the previous studies mentioned reported that feed supplement as the fodder tree mixture would could be enhanced ruminal degradation of nutrients, volatile fatty acids, and microbial growth in the ruminants [12]. An initial in vitro study demonstrated that supplementation of a low-quality roughage with different kind of tropical fodder such as Arachis pintoi and Cratylia argentea significantly enhanced rumen microbial activity and increased the extent of ruminal organic matter (OM) and fiber degradation [13]. In in vivo study, Viennasay et al [14] currently reported that supplementation of fodder shrub (Flemingia) enhanced the nutrient digestibility, feed intake and microbial protein synthesis.…”

Combination Effects of Plant Extracts Rich in Tannins and Saponins as Feed Additives for Mitigating in Vitro Ruminal Methane and Ammonia Formation

“…A number of feed additives have been tested for their potential to mitigate methane emissions from ruminants [9,10]. Natural plant secondary compounds such as tannins, saponins, and essential oils are among the promising feed additives to mitigate enteric methane emission, and they have been repeatedly investigated [11][12][13][14][15]. For instance, extracted and purified tannins, either condensed (from mimosa and quebracho) or hydrolysable (from chestnut and sumac), added at levels of 0.5-1.0 mg/mL, were shown to substantially decrease the methane per unit of digestible organic matter and methanogen population [16].…”

Effects of oat hay and leguminous forage mixture feeding on enteric methane emission, energy utilization, and feed conversion efficiency in male crossbred Simmental beef cattle

“…In general, an appropriate proportion of leguminous forage in a diet is considered to be effective for mitigating CH 4 emission in beef cattle (Hess et al., 2004). This is because legumes are rich in secondary metabolites, such as saponins and tannins, which have potential to inhibit the activity of protozoa and methanogen in the rumen (Beauchemin et al., 2008).…”

“…The higher feeding level could lead to a faster outflow rate of feedstuff from the rumen (AFRC, 1993), therefore, shifts part of the digestion from rumen to hindgut. The hindgut fermentation has a lower CH 4 production than the ruminal fermentation (Fievez et al., 1999; Hess et al., 2004). However, the CH 4 :DMI (Figure 1b) in the AH‐24 group was higher than that in the AH‐16 group under the same feeding level (Table 1).…”

“…However, the CH 4 :DMI (Figure 1b) in the AH‐24 group was higher than that in the AH‐16 group under the same feeding level (Table 1). When low ruminal available N results in a limitation of microbial growth, more ruminal fermented energy will be used for CH 4 production by methanogens (Hess et al., 2004). The relative lower ruminal ammonia N (table 5 of Du et al., 2019) and higher total VFA concentration (Table 2) could lead to a higher CH 4 production in the AH‐24 group than the AH‐16 group (Figure 2a and b, Table 1).…”