Chemical composition, ruminal degradation kinetics, and methane production (in vitro) of winter grass species

Abstract

BACKGROUND Information about the nutritive value, dry matter (DM) digestibility, and methane (CH4) emission potential of grass species is required for their optimal utilization in ruminant rations. The present study was designed: (i) to quantify the nutrient profile, mineral composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of winter grass species commonly available in northern Pakistan; and (ii) to measure the in vitro gas production (IVGP) and CH4 emission of the grass species during 72 h in vitro ruminal fermentation. Seven grass species, namely, Cenchrus ciliaris, Setaria anceps, Panicum antidotale, P. maximum, Pennisetum purpureum, Pennisetum orientale, and Atriplex lentiformis were assessed. RESULTS A high level of variability (P < 0.001) was observed among grass species for the content of all measured nutrients, IVDMD, IVGP, and CH4‐production. Notably, the content (g kg−1 DM) of crude protein varied from 59.8 to 143.3, neutral detergent fiber from 560.3 to 717.9, IVDMD from 375.1 to 576.2, and 72 h cumulative IVGP from 97.6 to 227.4 mL g−1 organic matter (OM) and CH4 from 48 to 67 mL g−1 OM. Among the grasses, P. antidotale had greater content (g kg−1 DM) of crude protein (CP) (143.3), IVDMD (576.2), and 72 h cumulative IVGP (227.4 mL g−1 OM), and produced the smallest amount of total CH4 (48 mL g−1 OM) during 72 h fermentation. In contrast, A. lentiformis had the lowest content (g kg−1 DM) of CP (59.8), IVDMD (375.1), 72 h cumulative IVGP (97.6 mL g−1 OM), and produced a greater amount of total CH4 (67 mL g−1 OM) during 72 h fermentation. CONCLUSION The findings of the current study highlight that it is possible to select and further develop grass species with high nutritional value and lower CH4‐production, which can improve livestock productivity, farm profitability, and long‐term environment sustainability. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

Evaluation of Morphological Characteristics and Forage Biomass Yield of Five Selected Wheat Cultivars for Ruminant Livestock Nutrition in Northern Pakistan

“…The content of CP is the main index for forage quality assessment, particularly of grasses, because it influences animal intake, rumen fermentation efficiency and animal productivity, particularly in the small holding production systems, where animals receive very low or no concentrates (Khan et al, 2009(Khan et al, , 2020. In our result, there was large variation in the content of CP, ranging from 8.71 to 12.4% DM.…”

“…The productivity, profitability, and long termsustainability of livestock industry in Pakistan require the availability of good quality forage resources for the entire year, because forages are the cheaper and natural source of nutrients and energy for ruminant livestock (Sulaiman et al, 2021;Khan et al, 2020).…”

“…Forages with higher digestibility support higher DM intake and supply more nutrients and energy per unit DM intake, and as such support more milk and meat production and vice versa. Forage digestibility can be affected by plant genotype, environment and maturity (Khan et al, 2020). In the present study, the wheat cultivars were evaluated under uniform conditions, and hence the variation in IVDMD reflect the genetic variation in digestibility.…”

Contribution of Soil Type to Quantity and Nutritional Value of Grass Species on the South African Highveld

“…The reduction in size and health of communal rangelands negatively affects livestock productivity, which manifest as weight losses, delayed calving and high levels of mortality [3,4]. The functional and operational management systems for communal rangelands are reportedly limited by a lack of empirical data to support decision-making [5]. There is, therefore, a need to generate data on plant species diversity, density, and nutritional value as well as determine how these parameters are influenced by grazing management practices.…”

“…There is, therefore, a need to generate data on plant species diversity, density, and nutritional value as well as determine how these parameters are influenced by grazing management practices. This will allow rangeland scientists and users to design suitable management systems that ensure sustainable rangeland utilization for cattle production [5].…”