In vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics and methane production differ in selected key pasture species in Australia
B. K. Banik A B , Z. Durmic B , W. Erskine A E , K. Ghamkhar A D and C. Revell A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
B School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
C Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Pasture Science Group, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
D Present address: Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Centre for AgriBiosciences, 5 Ring Road, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: william.erskine@uwa.edu.au
Crop and Pasture Science 64(9) 935-942 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP13149
Submitted: 14 December 2012 Accepted: 7 October 2013 Published: 11 November 2013
Abstract
Thirteen current and potential pasture species in southern Australia were examined for differences in their nutritive values and in vitro rumen fermentation profiles, including methane production by rumen microbes, to assist in selection of pasture species for mitigation of methane emission from ruminant livestock. Plants were grown in a glasshouse and harvested at 7 and 11 weeks after sowing for in vitro batch fermentation, with nutritive values assessed at 11 weeks of growth. The pasture species tested differed significantly (P < 0.001) in methane production during in vitro rumen fermentation, with the lowest methane-producing species, Biserrula pelecinus L., producing 90% less methane (4 mL CH4 g–1 dry matter incubated) than the highest methane-producing species, Trifolium spumosum L. (51 mL CH4 g–1 dry matter incubated). Proxy nutritive values of species were found not to be useful predictors of plant fermentation characteristics or methane production. In conclusion, there were significant differences in fermentative traits, including methane production, among selected pasture species in Australia, indicating that the choice of fodder species may offer a way to reduce the impact on the environment from enteric fermentation.
Additional keywords: Biserrula, fermentability, methane, pasture legumes, rumen.
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