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RESEARCH ARTICLE

In vitro fermentability and methane production of some alternative forages in Australia

Z. Durmic A C D , P. J. Moate B , J. L. Jacobs B , J. Vadhanabhuti A C and P. E. Vercoe A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia M085, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

B DEDJTR Victoria, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, Vic. 3821, Australia.

C Future Farm Industries CRC, The University of Western Australia M081, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: zoey.durmic@uwa.edu.au

Animal Production Science 56(3) 641-645 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15486
Submitted: 26 August 2015  Accepted: 24 November 2015   Published: 9 February 2016

Abstract

A study was conducted to examine in vitro ruminal fermentation profiles and methane production of some alternative forage species (n = 10) in Australia. Extent of fermentation was assessed using an in vitro batch fermentation system, where total gas production, methane production, and concentrations in ruminal fluid of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia were measured. Forages varied in their fermentability, with highest total gas, methane, VFA and ammonia production recorded from selected samples of Brassica napus L. cv. Winfred. Lowest methane production (i.e. 30% less than that formed by the highest-producing one) was observed in Plantago lanceolata L. cv. Tonic and Cichorium intybus L. cv. Choice. Selected plants, including P. lanceolata L. cv. Tonic, Brassica rapa L. cv. Marco, Brassica napus L. cv. Hunter had reduced acetate : propionate ratio and/or ammonia concentration, along with relatively low methane production compared with other species tested, while overall fermentation was not affected. It was concluded that selected novel forages have some advantageous fermentability profiles in the rumen and, in particular, inhibit methane production. However, before these can be recommended as valuable supplementary feedstuffs for ruminants in Australia, further studies are needed to confirm these effects over a range of samples, conditions and in vivo.

Additional keywords: chicory, fermentation, novel forages, plantain, rape, rumen, turnip.


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