Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
The present experiment aimed to evaluate date palm leaves (DPL) treated without or with fibrolytic enzymes as a feed for ruminants.
Methods
The experiment employed an in vitro wireless gas production system to evaluate the dietary inclusion of DPL as sun-dried, DPL ensiled without or with fibrolytic enzymes for 45 days. The different forms of DPL replaced berseem hay (300 g/kg diet) at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in the diet.
Results
Dried DPL linearly decreased the asymptotic total gas production (GP), rate of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) production, and acid detergent fiber degradability, and increased the lag of total GP (P < 0.05). The ensiled DPL also linearly decreased (P < 0.05) the asymptotic total GP, asymptotic CH4, asymptotic CO2 production and the rate of CH4 and CO2 productions, but dry matter degradability and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were unaffected. Date palm leaves treated with fibrolytic enzymes linearly decreased the asymptotic total GP, CH4 and CO2 productions, and the rate of CH4 and CO2 production. Ensiling of DPL with fibrolytic enzymes increased (P < 0.05) dry matter and fiber degradability and the concentrations of ruminal ammonia-N and total VFA.
Conclusion
It is concluded that DPL treated with fibrolytic enzymes can replace berseem hay up to 100% in the diet to reduce CH4 production from ruminants. Ensiling with fibrolytic enzymes is recommended as a sustainable strategy to reduce environmental pollution and utilization of DPL.
Graphical Abstract
Funder
Science and Technology Development Fund
National Research Center
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Waste Management and Disposal,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Environmental Engineering