In vitromethane production from silages based on Cenchrus purpureusmixed with Tithonia diversifoliain different proportions

ABSTRACT

Climate change (CC) affects food production, mainly those based on livestock systems. Producers must identify adaptation strategies to ensure the production, during periods of drought, and lack of forage. Besides contributing to CC, high emissions of ruminal methane (CH4) are energy loss potentially usable for livestock production. The objective was to estimate in vitroruminal gas production (RGP) and determine the CH4emissions from silages. Treatments were made with forage of Cenchrus purpureusmixed with Tithonia diversifoliaT1= C.purpureusat 100%; T2= C.purpureus/ T.diversifoliain 33/67 percent ratio; T3= C.purpureus/ T.diversifolia67/33; and T4= T.diversifoliaat 100%. Samples of silages were analyzed, andthey were inoculated with strains of Lactobacillus paracasei(T735); then they were fermented in vacuum-sealed bags for 67 days. RGP and CH4 were measured at 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 48 hours. Additionally, modeling of CH4 production kinetics was conducted, using different equations. The results indicate that the highest cumulative CH4 production was for T1. This kinetics was represented using the Gompertz model. In conclusion, the inclusion of T.diversifoliato C.purpureussilages contributes to the decrease of methane at the ruminal level, which constitutes an adaptation practice at climate change.(AU)