Fermentation Patterns, Methane Production and Microbial Population under In Vitro Conditions from Two Unconventional Feed Resources Incorporated in Ruminant Diets
Karina A. Araiza Ponce,
J. Natividad Gurrola Reyes,
Sandra C. Martínez Estrada,
José M. Salas Pacheco,
Javier Palacios Torres,
Manuel Murillo Ortiz
Affiliations
Karina A. Araiza Ponce
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Durango 34126, Mexico
J. Natividad Gurrola Reyes
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Integral Regional Development, National Polytechnic Institute, Durango Unit, Durango 34126, Mexico
Sandra C. Martínez Estrada
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Integral Regional Development, National Polytechnic Institute, Durango Unit, Durango 34126, Mexico
José M. Salas Pacheco
Scientific Research Institute, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Durango 34126, Mexico
Javier Palacios Torres
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Durango 34126, Mexico
Manuel Murillo Ortiz
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Durango 34126, Mexico
In this study, four experimental treatments were evaluated: (T1) alfalfa hay + concentrate, (50:50%, DM); (T2) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); (T3) alfalfa hay + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); and (T4) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:10:10:50%, DM). NH3-N concentrations in T2 and T4 decreased when replaced with alfalfa hay in 20 and 10%, respectively. Treatments did not affect the concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) between T3 and T4 (p > 0.05), while the concentrations among T1 and T2 were different (p p Leucaena leucocephala (T2) and Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear (T4) (p p Leucaena leucocephala, at an inclusion percentage of 20%, decreased the methane when compared to T1, whereas prickly pear increased methane production in relation to T1.
