Ensiling Characteristics, In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Patterns, Feed Degradability, and Methane and Ammonia Production of Berseem (<i>Trifolium alexandrinum</i> L.) Co-Ensiled with Artichoke Bracts (<i>Cynara cardunculus</i> L.)

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of co-ensiling increasing levels of artichoke bracts (Cynara cardunculus L.) with berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100, respectively) on silage quality after 0, 30, 60, and 120 days. Moreover, the in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3-N) production were evaluated using a buffalo inoculum source. The results showed that pH of the silage and the concentration of acetic, propionic, butyric acid, and NH3-N significantly decreased (L; p p p 3-N concentration was recorded with 500 g/kg of forage mixtures. As the artichoke bract concentration increased, the partitioning factor and ruminal pH declined linearly (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were observed for total volatile fatty acids and volatile fatty acids molar proportions. In summary, co-ensiling artichoke bracts with berseem at a ratio of 1:1 might be a promising and easy method for the production of high-quality silage from legume forage with positively manipulating rumen fermentation.

Keywords

• legumes forages
• artichoke bracts
• silage fermentation quality
• methane
• ammonia
• in vitro rumen fermentation