In vitro production of gases with mixtures of Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees) and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate in vitro the production of total gases and CH₄ in different mixtures of Hyparrhenia ruffa (Hr) and Leucaena leucocephala (Ll).

Design / methodology / approach: In hermetic biodigesters with 200 mL of culture medium, 20 g of the following treatments were incubated in triplicate: T1: 100% Hr, T2: 80% Hr + 20% Ll, T3: 60% Hr + 40 % Ll, T4: 40% Hr + 60% Ll; They were inoculated with 20 mL of fresh ruminal fluid and incubated at 38 ± 0.5 ° C for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours (h). The production of total gases and methane (CH₄) was measured; the data were analyzed in a completely randomized design.

Results: When adding 20%, 40% and 60% of Ll in mixture with Hr, the neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, production of total gases and CH₄ decreased; while the crude protein content increased.

Study limitations / implications: In vivo studies are required / by including amounts greater than 20% of Ll, the efficiency of energy use can be improved.

Findings / conclusions: By adding more than 20% of L. leucocephala in a mixture with H. ruffa, the production of total gases and CH₄ decreases.

Keywords: methane, ruminants, tropical grasses, forage shrubs