EFFECT OF THE ADDITION OF TWO LEVELS OF (Ruta chalepensis L.) ON IN VITRO METHANE GAS PRODUCTION

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of two levels of rue leaves (Ruta chalepensis L.) with different levels of dry matter on the mitigation of methane production (CH₄) and the digestibility of dry matter in vitro. 

Design/methodology/approach: The treatments evaluated were samples of native grass dominated by Kikuyo grass (Penisetum clandestinum) plus the addition of 3 and 6% of rue leaves in relation to a control. The CH₄ was quantified at 12, 24 and 48 h post-incubation.

Results: Significant differences (P<0.01) were found between treatments in all the hours of measurement, with treatments PN0.57 R0%, PN1.19 R3%, PN1.95 R3% and PN2.18 R3% being the ones with lowest production of CH4 accumulated at 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively.

Study limitations/implications: The results of this study were obtained from an in vitro study; therefore, they are not directly applicable to enteric emissions in vivo; however, they represent an approximation to how much metabolizable energy can be lost in the form of methane.

Findings/conclusions: The rue leaves showed a mitigation effect of CH₄. In this regard, the treatments PN1.95 R3% and PN2.18 R3% reduced the production rate of CH₄ at 24 and 48 h, by 75% and 95%, in relation to the treatments without rue leaves, and an increase in in vitro digestibility of dry matter was observed compared to the treatments without rue leaves.