Abstract

COBOS-PERALTA, Mario A. et al. In vitro effect of diets for growing lambs supplemented with dried distillers grains on rumen fermentation and gas emissions. Agrociencia [online]. 2018, vol.52, n.2, pp.203-215. ISSN 2521-9766.

Most of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock production is attributed to ruminants. As a consequence of its warming potential, methane is the most important GHG, and different strategies have been implemented to reduce its emissions, including finding out the amount of GHG in the diets. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the in vitro effect of dried corn distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on rumen fermentation, total biogas, and methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in diets for lambs. The in vitro degradation of dry matter (DIVMS), pH, molar concentration of volatile fatty acids (AGV), and total bacteria count were determined after 72 h of incubation; meanwhile, the production of biogas, CH4, and CO2 was determined after 24, 48, and 72 h of fermentation of the three diets containing 0, 20, and 40 % DDGS based on the dry matter (MS). The DIVMS was higher (p≤0.05) in the 0 % GSDM diet. No differences (p>0.05) in pH, total bacteria, and AGV concentration were found among treatments. The total biogas production was higher (p≤0.05) in 40 % DDGS diet. The cumulative CH4 production was lower (p≤0.05) by 20 % DDGS diet compared to 0 % DDGS diet, and the cumulative CO2 production was higher (p≤0.05) in 40 % DDGS diet. Including 20 or 40 % of DDGS in diets for lambs reduces cumulative CH4 production, without affecting the rumen fermentation variables; however, including 40 % of DDGS increases the production of total biogas and CO2.

Keywords : biogas; DDGS; methane; lambs.

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