Supplementation of a tropical grass diet with forage legumes and fruits: effects on ruminal nitrogen turnover and methanogenesis

In two in vitro experiments with the RUSITEC-apparatus, Brachiaria dictyoneura was tested alone and with legumes at dietary proportions of 1/3, 2/3, or 3/3 of Arachis pintoi (Expt 1) and 1/3 of Arachis pintoi , Cratylia argentea , or Calliandra calothyrsus (Expt 2). In Expt 2, all diets were evaluated with and without 80 mg/g diet of Sapindus saponaria fruits. In Expt 1, the stepwise replacement of the grass by A. pintoi curvi-linearly increased rumen fluid concentrations of ammonia, volatile fatty acids, bacteria, and protozoa. Methane release rates were 1.7, 7.3, 8.8, and 9.0 mmol/day. With increasing legume proportion, more organic matter and protein were degraded, the latter being only partially recovered as ammonia. In Expt 2, 1/3 of A. pintoi basically had the same effects as in Expt 1. Cratylia argentea was less effective in modifying the fermentation pattern. In association with a higher nutrient degradation and rumen ammonia concentration, C. argentea and A. pintoi increased methane release to about 3- and 4-fold levels. Calliandra calothyrsus reduced nutrient degradation and methane release per gram of organic matter degraded. Tannins, predominant in C. calothyrsus , might have affected methanogenesis. Sapindus saponaria reduced methanogenesis by 11% on average in grass-alone and legume-supplemented diets. Keywords: Brachiaria dictyoneura , Arachis pintoi , Cratylia argentea , Calliandra calothyrsus , fibre, RUSITEC. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54(7) 703 - 713 Full text doi:10.1071/AR02241 © CSIRO 2003