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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #338617
Title: Modification of ruminal fermentation and methane production by adding legumes containing condensed tannins to an orchardgrass diet in continuous culture systems

Author
item ROCA-FERNANDEZ, ANA - Universidad De Chile
item Dillard, Sandra
item RUBANO, MELISSA - Consultant
item BALDWIN, MICHEL - Pennsylvania State University
item Dell, Curtis
item MACADAM, JENNIER - Utah State University
item Soder, Kathy

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2017
Publication Date: 7/15/2017
Citation: Roca-Fernandez, A., Dillard, S.L., Rubano, M., Baldwin, M., Dell, C.J., Macadam, J., Soder, K.J. 2017. Modification of ruminal fermentation and methane production by adding legumes containing condensed tannins to an orchardgrass diet in continuous culture systems. American Dairy Science Association Proceedings.100(2):148.

Interpretive Summary: No Interpretive Summary is required for this Abstract. JLB.

Technical Abstract: Condensed tannins (CT) can alter ruminal fermentation and enteric methane (CH4) production in ruminants; however, research is lacking on how increased CT levels affect nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, bacterial protein synthesis, fatty acid (FA) profiles, protozoal populations and CH4 production. A 4-unit continuous culture fermentor system was used to assess the effects of adding legumes containing varying levels of CT to an orchardgrass diet. The legumes were: alfalfa (ALF) as control, birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) as a low CT legume, crown vetch (CV) as an intermediate CT legume, and sericea lespedeza (SL) as a high CT legume. Treatments consisted of 50% orchardgrass and 50% legume. The experimental design was a 4x4 Latin square. Samples for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were collected to determine nutrient digestibilities. Samples were also taken for VFA production, bacterial protein synthesis, FA profile and protozoa count. Gas samples for CH4 analysis were recorded by a photoacoustic field gas monitor. Apparent and true DM and OM digestibilities were lower (P < 0.01) in SL than ALF and BFT, with CV showing an intermediate level. Apparent NDF and ADF digestibilities were lowest (P < 0.001) in SL, without any differences among the other treatments. Total VFA were least (P < 0.001) in SL and greatest in ALF and BFT. Greater (P < 0.05) dietary N and lower (P < 0.001) NH3-N were found in SL and BFT than in ALF and CV. Bacterial N efficiency per kg of truly digested DM and OM was least (P < 0.05) in SL and greatest (P < 0.05) in BFT. Changes in FA biohydrogenation process were found with SL due to a decrease in the conjugated linoleic acid concentrations and in the ratio between stearic acid and vaccenic acid. Greater (P < 0.05) numbers of protozoa were found in SL than in the other treatments. Total CH4 production was least (P < 0.001) in SL. The SL diet had the least (P < 0.05) CH4 production per unit of digestible nutrients. In summary, introducing SL into an orchardgrass diet reduced CH4 production but exerted adverse effects on ruminal feed digestion and fermentation.