Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Methanogenic potential of forages consumed throughout the year by cattle in a Sahelian pastoral area

M. Doreau A E , H. Benhissi A , Y. E. Thior C , B. Bois B , C. Leydet B , L. Genestoux A , P. Lecomte D , D. P. Morgavi A and A. Ickowicz B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A INRA, UMR Herbivores, 63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France.

B CIRAD, UMR Selmet, Campus de Baillarguet, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.

C ISRA, LNERV, PPZS, BP 2057, Dakar, Senegal.

D CIRAD, UMR Selmet, PPZS, 37 Avenue Jean XXIII, Dakar, Senegal.

E Corresponding author. Email: michel.doreau@clermont.inra.fr

Animal Production Science 56(3) 613-618 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15487
Submitted: 27 August 2015  Accepted: 28 October 2015   Published: 9 February 2016

Abstract

Methane (CH4) emission from ruminants in African pastoral systems may be affected by intake and type of plants, which vary highly between rainy and dry seasons. In each of two sites located in the semiarid Sahelian area of Senegal, three Gobra zebus were monitored throughout 1 year. A representative sample of their diet was obtained once every month. Diet was mainly composed of grasses, herbaceous legumes, tree and shrub foliage and pods, and dried forage residues. CH4 production and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, which reflects VFA production, were determined in vitro. Crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre were measured by near-infrared spectrophotometry. CH4 production varied between 24.6 and 35.2 mL/g forage dry matter (DM), being minimal in August (rainy season) and maximal in February (dry season). Seasonal difference disappeared when CH4 was expressed in mL/g NDF. The acetate : propionate ratio varied in the same way as CH4 (3.2 and 4.6 in August and February, respectively); VFA concentration was minimum in March and maximum in September (69.2 and 77.4 mmol/L, respectively). CH4 production was closely related to dietary NDF content (r = 0.82) and to acetate : propionate ratio (r = 0.96). For six successive periods (February to July), plant categories constituting the diet were incubated separately. Reconstituting the CH4 production and VFA concentration in the diet on the basis of the proportion of plant components gave values similar to those of the global diet (33.4 and 34.2 mL CH4/g DM and 75.9 and 70.9 mmol VFA/L, respectively). This result suggests the absence of interaction among plant components on rumen fermentation.

Additional keywords: greenhouse gases, rumen, seasonal variations.


References

Adriansen HK, Nielsen TT (2005) The geography of pastoral mobility: a spatio-temporal analysis of GPS data from Sahelian Senegal. GeoJournal 64, 177–188.
The geography of pastoral mobility: a spatio-temporal analysis of GPS data from Sahelian Senegal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Archimède H, Eugène M, Marie-Magdeleine C, Boval M, Martin C, Morgavi DP, Lecomte P, Doreau M (2011) Comparison of methane production between C3 and C4 grasses and legumes. Animal Feed Science and Technology 166–167, 59–64.
Comparison of methane production between C3 and C4 grasses and legumes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Archimède H, Rira M, Eugène M, Morgavi DP, Anaïs C, Periacarpin F, Calif B, Martin C, Marie-Magdeleine C, Doreau M (2013) Intake, total-tract digestibility and methane emission of Texel and Blackbelly sheep fed C4 and C3 grasses tested simultaneously in a temperate and a tropical area. Advances in Animal Biosciences 4, 285

Ayantunde AA, Hiernaux P, Fernandez-Rivera S, van Keulen H, Udo HMJ (1999) Selective grazing by cattle on spatially and seasonally heterogeneous rangeland in Sahel. Journal of Arid Environments 42, 261–279.
Selective grazing by cattle on spatially and seasonally heterogeneous rangeland in Sahel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Baccouche A, Morgavi DP, Bois B, Genestoux L, Lecomte P, Ickowicz A, Diop T, Doreau M (2014) Methanogenic potential of tropical forages: in vitro evaluation and prediction from chemical composition. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production 30, 234

Bodas R, Lopez S, Fernandez M, Garcia-Gonzalez R, Rodriguez AB, Wallace RJ, Gonzalez JS (2008) In vitro screening of the potential of numerous plant species as antimethanogenic feed additives for ruminants. Animal Feed Science and Technology 145, 245–258.
In vitro screening of the potential of numerous plant species as antimethanogenic feed additives for ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXpsVKrsb0%3D&md5=ce437d0f0cc99d5e5eeb1f6e5cab72e6CAS |

Chaokaur A, Nishida T, Phaowphaisal I, Sommart K (2015) Effects of feeding level on methane emissions and energy utilization of Brahman cattle in the tropics. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 199, 225–230.
Effects of feeding level on methane emissions and energy utilization of Brahman cattle in the tropics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhslehtr3J&md5=45449a21d54f933a1f31cd78dc550a5bCAS |

Chirat G, Groot JCJ, Messad S, Bocquier F, Ickowicz A (2014) Instantaneous intake rate of free-grazing cattle as affected by herbage characteristics in heterogeneous tropical agro-pastoral landscapes. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 157, 48–60.
Instantaneous intake rate of free-grazing cattle as affected by herbage characteristics in heterogeneous tropical agro-pastoral landscapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fall Touré S, Michalet-Doreau B, Traoré E, Friot D, Richard D (1998) Occurrence of digestive interactions in tree forage-based diets for sheep. Animal Feed Science and Technology 74, 63–78.
Occurrence of digestive interactions in tree forage-based diets for sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gaidet N, Lecomte P (2013) Benefits of migration in a partially-migratory tropical ungulate. BMC Ecology 13, 36
Benefits of migration in a partially-migratory tropical ungulate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24079650PubMed |

Gemeda BS, Hassen A (2014) In vitro fermentation, digestibility and methane production of tropical perennial grass species. Crop and Pasture Science 65, 479–488.
In vitro fermentation, digestibility and methane production of tropical perennial grass species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXpvV2rtLo%3D&md5=983b723ef68a9e92cd4c7573acc4a69fCAS |

Gemeda BS, Hassen A (2015) Effect of tannin and species variation on in vitro digestibility, gas, and methane production of tropical browse plants. Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 28, 188–199.
Effect of tannin and species variation on in vitro digestibility, gas, and methane production of tropical browse plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXis1Kqs7o%3D&md5=08d55784b4da1b73abe6c6cf17dfbb79CAS | 25557814PubMed |

Gerber P, Vellinga T, Opio C, Steinfeld H (2011) Productivity gains and greenhouse gas emissions intensity in dairy systems. Livestock Science 139, 100–108.
Productivity gains and greenhouse gas emissions intensity in dairy systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gerber PJ, Steinfeld H, Henderson B, Mottet A, Opio C, Dijkman J, Falcucci A, Tempio G (2013) ‘Tackling climate change through livestock: a global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities.’ (FAO: Rome)

Guérin H, Friot D, Mbaye N, Richard D, Dieng A (1988) Régime alimentaire de ruminants domestiques (bovins, ovins, caprins) exploitant des parcours naturels sahéliens et soudano-saheliens. II. Essai de description du régime par l’étude du comportement alimentaire. Facteurs de variation des choix alimentaires et conséquences nutritionnelles. Revue d’Elevage et de Medecine Veterinaire des Pays Tropicaux 41, 427–440.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2006) Emissions from livestock and manure management. In ‘2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories, vol. 4’. (Eds HS Eggleston, L Buendia, K Miwa, T Ngara, K Tanabe) pp. 10.1–10.87. (IGES: Kanagawa, Japan)

Kouazounde JB, Gbenou JD, Babatounde S, Srivastava N, Eggleston SH, Antwi C, Baah J, McAllister TA (2015) Development of methane emission factors for enteric fermentation in cattle from Benin using IPCC Tier 2 methodology. Animal 9, 526–533.
Development of methane emission factors for enteric fermentation in cattle from Benin using IPCC Tier 2 methodology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXjtVaitLc%3D&md5=5dec0c3f39108d7ba2cb8e603915c9efCAS | 25385068PubMed |

Lebel T, Diedhou A, Laurent H (2003) Seasonal cycle and interannual variability of the Sahelian rainfall at hydrological scales. Journal of Geophysical Research 108, 8389
Seasonal cycle and interannual variability of the Sahelian rainfall at hydrological scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Macheboeuf D, Coudert L, Bergeault R, Lalière G, Niderkorn V (2014) Screening of plants from diversified natural grasslands for their potential to combine high digestibility, and low methane and ammonia production. Animal 8, 1797–1806.
Screening of plants from diversified natural grasslands for their potential to combine high digestibility, and low methane and ammonia production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhslGqsLjI&md5=d2528f0da62797b61fcd13bd92869cd3CAS | 25046582PubMed |

Martin C, Morgavi DP, Doreau M (2010) Methane mitigation in ruminants: from microbe to the farm scale. Animal 4, 351–365.
Methane mitigation in ruminants: from microbe to the farm scale.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhslWgs7k%3D&md5=eb26a3959e2a2f59e9df73f746e4d771CAS | 22443940PubMed |

Meale SJ, Chaves AV, Baah J, McAllister TA (2012) Methane production of different forages in in vitro ruminal fermentation. Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 25, 86–91.
Methane production of different forages in in vitro ruminal fermentation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xltlaqtbw%3D&md5=f6d7886aadb48c236e26d1f79eb340efCAS | 25049482PubMed |

Morgavi DP, Martin C, Boudra H (2013) Fungal secondary metabolites from Monascus spp. reduce rumen methane production in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Animal Science 91, 848–860.
Fungal secondary metabolites from Monascus spp. reduce rumen methane production in vitro and in vivo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXlvVKmsrY%3D&md5=ca51ee646a0869d2abac8a901f6dae82CAS | 23307850PubMed |

Niderkorn V, Baumont R (2009) Associative effects between forages on feed intake and digestion in ruminants. Animal 3, 951–960.
Associative effects between forages on feed intake and digestion in ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtVSnsL7K&md5=bf2edd3ad4c5304052981e250e13224dCAS | 22444815PubMed |

Niderkorn V, Baumont R, Le Morvan A, Macheboeuf D (2011) Occurrence of associative effects between grasses and legumes in binary mixtures on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. Journal of Animal Science 89, 1138–1145.
Occurrence of associative effects between grasses and legumes in binary mixtures on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXntFKlurw%3D&md5=59addfcf7665ab299760e058e5888900CAS | 21415423PubMed |

Ouédraogo-Koné S, Kaboré-Zoungrana CY, Ledin I (2008) Intake and digestibility in sheep and chemical composition during different seasons of some West African browse species. Tropical Animal Health and Production 40, 155–164.
Intake and digestibility in sheep and chemical composition during different seasons of some West African browse species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18422259PubMed |

Rira M, Morgavi DP, Archimède H, Marie-Magdeleine C, Popova M, Bousseboua H, Doreau M (2015) Potential of tannin-rich plants for modulating rumen microbes and ruminal fermentation in sheep. Journal of Animal Science 93, 334–347.
Potential of tannin-rich plants for modulating rumen microbes and ruminal fermentation in sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXkt1Wrsr8%3D&md5=9f4829d3fe1413f7796065b3024f107aCAS | 25568379PubMed |

Rivière R (1991) ‘Manuel d’alimentation des ruminants domestiques en milieu tropical.’ (IEMVT, Ministère de la Coopération et du Développement, La Documentation Française: Paris)

Schlecht E, Blümmel M, Becker K (1999) The influence of the environment on feed intake of cattle in semi-arid Africa. In ‘Regulation of feed intake’. (Eds D Van der Heide, EA Huisman, E Kanis, JWM Osse, MWA Verstegen) pp. 167–185. (CABI: London, UK)

Soliva CR, Zeleke AB, Clément C, Hess HD, Fievez V, Kreuzer M (2008) In vitro screening of various tropical foliages, seeds, fruits and medicinal plants for low methane and high ammonia generating potentials in the rumen. Animal Feed Science and Technology 147, 53–71.
In vitro screening of various tropical foliages, seeds, fruits and medicinal plants for low methane and high ammonia generating potentials in the rumen.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXht1ejtLzI&md5=99bffd779e0e51e664741cb33ef72717CAS |

Touré I, Ickowicz A, Wane A, Garba I, Gerber P (2012) ‘Atlas of trends in pastoral systems in the Sahel. Information system on pastoralism in the Sahel.’ (FAO and CIRAD: Rome, Paris)

Tran H, Salgado P, Tillard E, Dardenne P, Nguyen XT, Lecomte P (2010) ‘Global’ and ‘local’ predictions of dairy diet nutritional quality using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 4961–4975.
‘Global’ and ‘local’ predictions of dairy diet nutritional quality using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsFKmsb%2FM&md5=ecaf135788dd2303cebac3992f1a3e74CAS | 20855031PubMed |

Wallis de Vries MF (1995) Estimating forage intake and quality in grazing cattle: a reconsideration of the hand-plucking method. Journal of Range Management 48, 370–375.
Estimating forage intake and quality in grazing cattle: a reconsideration of the hand-plucking method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |