Produção de metano entérico em pastagens tropicais.

Na presente revisão, buscou-se apresentar os principais impactos ambientais causados pela pecuária, sobretudo, em relação às emissões de gases efeito estufa (GEE). Além disso, buscou-se apresentar possíveis formas de mitigar essas externalidades. A criação de bovinos, no Brasil, acontece de forma extensiva, muitas vezes em áreas com pastagem degradada e, portanto, de baixa produtividade. Isso possibilita à atividade uma oportunidade de redução do impacto causado ao meio ambiente, uma vez que ações tomadas, no sentido de melhorar o rendimento animal, devem resultar em um menor consumo de recursos naturais (terra e água) e maior eficiência do sistema digestivo animal. Os principais problemas apontados pelos pesquisadores, no que tange à pecuária extensiva, são o metano emitido pela fermentação entérica dos ruminantes, o óxido nitroso emitido pelos dejetos dos animais em pastejo e o dióxido de carbono trocado pelo solo e vegetação. Muitos fatores influenciam a produção de CH4 entérico dos ruminantes, inclusive o tipo de carboidrato fermentado, o sistema digestivo do animal, a quantidade e o tipo de alimentos consumidos. Diante do exposto, pesquisadores têm desenvolvido tecnologias para reduzir a emissão de metano, através da melhoria das práticas de manejo alimentar, manipulação ruminal, por meio de suplementação com monensina, lipídios, ácidos orgânicos e compostos de plantas. Outras estratégias de redução de metano que foram investigadas são: defaunação e vacinas, que buscam inibir micro-organismos metanogênicos e a metanogênese. Assim, a busca por sistemas de produção eficientes tem sido uma das perspectivas da pecuária mundial para reduzir a emissão de poluentes e intensificar a produção animal

Caracterização dos taninos condensados em leguminosas nativas do semi-árido do nordeste brasileiro

Apesar da possível influência do tanino sobre o valor nutritivo das forrageiras da Caatinga, poucos são os estudos que avaliam a concentração de taninos nestas plantas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar os taninos condensados presentes nas espécies Mimosa hostilis (Jurema Preta), Mimosa caesalpinifolia (Sabiá) e Bauhinia cheilantha (Mororó), em três fases do ciclo fenológico. As concentrações de tanino solúvel (TS), tanino ligado ao resíduo (TL) e tanino total (TT) foram determinadas pelo método butanol-HCl; a adstringência foi avaliada pelo método de difusão radial e a composição de monômeros dos taninos purificados através do sistema de cromatografia líquida de alta resolução, utilizando delfinidina, cianidina e pelargonidina como padrões. A concentração e adstringência dos taninos condensados purificados, assim como sua composição monomérica, variou entre as espécies e, em alguns casos, entre os ciclos fenológicos. Os valores foram superiores aos considerados benéficos a digestão ruminal (5%). Jurema Preta apresentou os maiores valores (30,98% TT e 22% de adstringência na vegetação plena) e Mororó os menores valores observados (10,38 TT e 14% de adstringência na frutificação). A Jurema Preta apresentou uma relação prodelfinidina (PD):procianidina (PC) média de 97:3 que se mostrou pouco variável, indicando uma alta capacidade adstringente dos taninos desta espécie em todas as fases do ciclo fenológico. O Sábia apresentou uma relação de 90:20 nas fases de vegetação plena e floração, diminuindo para 40:50 na fase de frutificação. A relação PD:PC do Mororó foi mais equilibrada, oscilando em torno de 40:50 nas fases de vegetação plena e floração e reduzindo para 35:60 durante a frutificação. A propelargonidina esteve ausente ou em pequena concentração nas espécies estudadas.Despite the possible influence of tannins on the nutritional value of the forages from Caatinga vegetation, there are few studies that evaluated their tannin concentration. This study was conducted to characterize condensed tannins present in the legumes species Mimosa hostilis (Jurema Preta), Mimosa caesalpinifolia (Sabiá) and Bauhinia cheilantha (Mororó), at three stages of their phenological cycle. The concentration of soluble tannin (ST), bound tannin (BT) and total tannin (TT) were determined using the butanol-HCL method; astringency was by the radial diffusion method, and the monomeric composition of purified tannins by a high-performance liquid chromatograph with delphinidin, cyanidin and pelargonidin as standards. Concentration and astringency of purified condensed tannins, as well as their monomeric composition varied between species, and in some cases among phenological cycles. The values observed were always above the limits considered beneficial for ruminal digestion (i.e. 5%). Jurema Preta presented the highest values (30.98% TT and 22% astringency at full growth stage), and Mororó the lowest (10.38% TT and 14% astringency during fructification). Jurema Preta presented a mean relationship prodelfinidin (PD): procyanidin (PC) of 97:3, which did not vary during the phenological cycle, showing the high astringent capacity of these tannins. Sabiá presented a relationship of 90:20 during full growth and flowering stages, decreasing to 40:50 at fructification. In Mororó the PD:PC relationship was more equilibrated, around 40:50 during full growth and flowering stages, decreasing to 35:60 During fructification. Propelargonidin was not detected or was present at low concentration in the three species

Effects of different amounts of crude glycerol supplementation on dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk quality of lactating dairy cows grazing on a Kikuyu grass pasture

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different amounts of crude glycerol (CGL) on dry matter intake, milk yield, milk protein yield, and milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows grazing on a Kikuyu-based pasture. Six Holstein cows were used in the first third of lactation (mean ± SD 559 ± 22.5 kg body weight, 43 ± 10 days in milk, and 26.8 ± 1.2 kg milk/day) and were randomized within a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square arrangement. Animals grazed the Kikuyu grass and were supplemented with a commercial energy-protein concentrate at 1.0 kg/4.0 kg of milk. The experimental period was 69 days. The following treatments were administered: CGL0 (control, without glycerol), CGL1 (750 g/cow/day), and CGL2 (1,500 g/cow/day). The addition of 750 and 1,500 g of CGL did not affect grass and concentrate intake (P > 0.05). However, milk yield (FCM 3.5%) increased by 14.2% in the CGL2 group compared to that obtained in the control group (CGL0) (P = 0.02). The addition of 1,500 g of CGL to the diet resulted in a 2.1% greater yield of milk protein compared to that obtained with CGL0 treatment (P = 0.01). Further, the addition of 1,500 g of CGL did not impact grass intake, milk fat concentration, or fatty acid composition (P < 0.05). Thus, the inclusion of CGL as a co-product may be a nutritional strategy to increase the productivity of dairy production systems in tropical perennials, such as Kikuyu grass

Influence of the monossodium glutamate production residue (Amiferm) in ruminal parameters and intake of bovine fed with corn silage

Nine adult steers were submitted to nine treatments in each of three experimental periods: three were dosified daily via rumen cánula with 50 (T1), 100 (T2), and 150 g (T3); of urea and five others received doses of Amiferm, corresponding to the nitrogen supplied by urea, of 240 (T4), 480 (T5), and 720 mL (T6). The highest Amiferm dose was given three different ways, i.e. ruminally in one dose (same as T6) or in two equal daily doses (T7), and as a single dose eaten together with maize silage (T8); and finally, there was a control without NPN (T9). The rumen ammonia concentration of animals receiving NPN was significantly higher (P<.05) than that of the control, and it increased (P<.05) with increasing dosage. Differences (P<.05) between the two NPN sources were observed only at 1 and 2 hours post-feeding. Rumen pH varied (P<.05) when the ammonia concentration was at its peak and was more acid in the animals that received Amiferm and more alkaline in those receiving urea. NPN supplementation did not alter ruminal dry matter degradation, but it enhanced effective degradation of neutral detergent fiber. Significant differences in DM intake were not observed among the animals fed urea, mean daily intake being 1.68% of liveweight. Intake by animals fed Amiferm decreased with increasing dose level (1.74, 1.36, and 1.19% LW, respectively). However, when the highest dose was given twice a day or when it was ingested with silage, intake was less affected (1.22 and 12.54% LW, respectively). It is concluded that Amiferm can be used to substitute for urea as a source of NPN in bovine feeding

Ruminal methane emission by dairy cattle in Southeast Brazil

Ruminal gases, particularly methane, generated during the fermentative process in rumen, represent a partial loss of feed energy and are also pointed to as an important factors in greenhouse effect. This study aimed at quantifying methane (CH4) emission rates from lactating and dry cows and heifers, 24 month-old in average, on pasture under Southeast Brazil tropical conditions, using the tracer gas technique, sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), four animals per category, distributed in four blocks. Measurements were performed in February and June, 2002, with Holstein and Brazilian Dairy Crossbred (Holstein ¾ x Gir (Zebu) ¼), maintained on fertilized Tanzania-grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania) and fertilized Brachiaria-grass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) pastures. Heifers of both breeds were maintained on unfertilized Brachiaria-grass to simulate conditions of extensive cattle farming systems. CH4 and SF6 levels were measured with gas chromatography. Differences in CH4 emissions were measured (p < 0.05) for genetical groups. Holstein produced more methane (299.3 g day-1) than the Crossbred (264.2 g day-1). Lactating cows produced more methane (353.8 g day-1) than dry cows (268.8 g day-1) and heifers (222.6 g day-1). Holstein, with greater milk production potential, produced less CH4 (p < 0.05) per unit of dry matter intake (19.1 g kg-1) than the Crossbred (22.0 g kg-1). Methane emission by heifers grazing fertilized pasture (intensive system) was 222.6 g day-1, greater (p < 0.05) than that of heifers on unfertilized pasture (179.2 g day-1). Methane emission varied as function of animal category and management intensity of production system.Gases gerados durante o processo de fermantação ruminal, metano em particular, representam não só uma perda parcial de energia da alimentação como também são apontados como importantes fatores do efeito-estufa. Quantificaram-se as taxas de emissão de metano (CH4) ruminal por vacas em lactação, vacas secas e novilhas com idade média de 24 meses, em pastejo sob condições tropicais do sudeste brasileiro, utilizando a técnica do gás traçador hexafluoreto de enxôfre (SF6). Foram utilizados quatro animais para cada categoria, distribuídos em quatro blocos. As medições foram realizadas em fevereiro e junho de 2002, com animais da raça Holandesa e Mestiça Leiteira Holandês ¾ x Gir ¼ - Mestiças, mantidos em pastagem de capim-Tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania) e capim-braquiária (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) adubadas, e também novilhas de ambas as raças em pastagens de capim-brachiaria sem adubação, simulando as condições de produção extensiva. As concentrações de CH4 e SF6 foram determinadas por cromatografia gasosa. Foram encontradas diferenças na emissão de metano (p < 0,05) entre os grupos genéticos. Animais da raça holandesa produziram mais metano (299,3 g dia-1) que as mestiças (264,2 g dia-1). Vacas secas e novilhas produzem menos metano (g dia-1) que vacas em lactação. A média de emissão de metano (g dia-1) pelas vacas secas e novilhas foi de 268,8 e 222,6 g respectivamente e as vacas em lactação 353,8 g. Os animais da raça holandesa, com maior potencial de produção de leite, perderam menos CH4 (p < 0,05) por unidade de matéria seca ingerida (19,1 g kg-1) que as mestiças (22,0 g kg-1). A produção de metano pelas novilhas mantidas em pastagens adubadas (sistema intensivo) foi de 222,6 g dia-1, maior (p < 0,05) que os animais desta categoria em pastagens não adubadas (179,2 g dia-1). A produção de metano variou em função da categoria de animal e pelo sistema de produção imposto aos animais

Influence of different nitrogen sources on the digestibility of diets based on sugarcane

In order to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen sources (soybean meal - FS, corn gluten meal - GL, and urea - UR) on the digestibility of diets based on sugarcane, five rumen fistulated crossbred cattle, four years old and 470 kg mean live weight (LW), were used in a completely randomized block design experiment, with five treatments: T1, 99.25% sugarcane + 0.75% UR; T2, 93.24% sugarcane + 6.76% FS; T3, 95.87% sugarcane + 3.79% FS + 0.34% UR; T4, 94.78% sugarcane + 5.22% GL; and T5, 96.77% sugarcane + 2.88% GL + 0.35% UR, and four replications in time. Digestibility coefficients were determined using chronic oxide as an external indicator, as were digestible energy (DE) content and total digestible nutrients (TDN). The nitrogen sources had no effect (P&gt;0.05) on digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and organic matter, nor on TDN content, but the digestibility of gross energy was influenced (P &lt; 0.05) by nitrogen sources, means being 76.0 and 66.75% for T4 and T1, respectively. The DE value was also influenced by nitrogen sources, T4 (3.89 Mcal/kg DM) being higher (P&lt;0.01) than T3 (3.37 Mcal) and T1 (3.18 Mcal). The daily intake of sugarcane DM (% LW) varied from 1.03 (T5) to 1.28 (T2) without significant differences (P&gt;0.01)

Temporal Variability of Soil CO2 Emission Contrasting Degraded and Managed Pasture in Brazil

AbstractGrazing areas represent the largest agricultural areas in Brazil, occupying more than 172 million hectares, about 20% of the agricultural land (IBGE, 2007). Despite the large areas of degraded pasture, little information exists about the temporal variation of soil properties including nutrients and soil carbon dynamic (Cerri et al., 2004). This study aimed to measure soil FCO2 from degraded and managed pasture areas, describing their temporal variability correlated to the environmental variables. Our study was carried out at two pasture areas located in Mococa city, São Paulo State Brazil. On March 04, 2013, 2 grids of 100 × 100 m with 102 samples points were installed in DP (Degraded pasture) and managed pasture (MP). Measurements of soil CO2 emissions (FCO2), soil temperature (Tsoil) and water content of soil (WCsoil) were initiated onMarch 12th, resulting 8 measuring days. Higher difference of emission between both areasoccurred during the first days, probably due to a huge precipitation influence (accumulated 80mm). In the first study day (12th), emission values were 8.73 ± 0.38 versus 4.47 ± 0.21μmol m-2 s-1, in DP and MP, respectively. In the last study day, March 19th, emissions in both areas were closer without remarkable rain influence (7.43 ± 0.54 and 5.98 ± 0.17μmol m-2 s-1). Total emission calculated by the area bellow the emission curves resulted 640.7 versus 440.0kg CO2-C ha-1 in DP and MP, respectively, corresponding to an additional emission of 200.6kg CO2-C ha-1 from DP or, 735.5kg CO2 released to the atmosphere, contributing to the Climate Change. The potential for soil C sequestration in pasture soils is strictly related to their management, and the rate and mechanism of soil C losses in pasture soils can affect this potential, with soils functioning as an atmospheric CO2 sinking or emitter

Evaluation of a residue from monosodium glutamate production (Amniferm) as a non protein nitrogen source for bovines grazing Brachiaria brizantha

Seven crossbred steers, 5 yr of age and 540 kg live weight, were maintained in continuous grazing. In each of three experimental periods, three animals received urea via rumen cannula in daily doses of 50, 100, and 150 g; three others received Amiferm in doses of 240, 480, and 720 mL (corresponding to the nitrogen in the respective urea doses) and one animal served as a control. The experimental design was randomized blocks in time, in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement (2 nitrogen sources by 3 dose levels) with subplots. Ruminal pH and ammonia concentration were determined hourly over a 12 h period; rumen degradation of B. brizantha dry matter was determined at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after introduction of samples in nylon bags. With increasing doses of urea and Amniferm, the ruminal concentration of ammonia increased. At 1 h post-dosification the animals that received urea showed a lower rumen ammonia level (P&lt;.05) than those that received Amniferm (378 vs. 1018 mg/L, respectively). At the hours of peak ammonia levels, rumen pH was more acid (P&lt;.05) in animals receiving Amiferm and more alkaline in those receiving urea. Dry matter degradation was not affected by the nitrogen sources, maximum degradation potential being reached at 48 h (71.8%). These results indicate that Amiferm can substitute for urea in the feeding of ruminants

Ruminal degradable nitrogen for steers fed sugar cane: in situ degradability, ruminal parameters and microbial synthesis efficiency

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da deficiência de nitrogênio degradável no rúmen (NDR), utilizando como volumoso cana-de-açúcar suplementada com uréia, farelo de soja ou farelo de glúten de milho - 60, sobre a eficiência de síntese microbiana e a degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca (MS) e da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) em novilhos mestiços. Utilizaram-se oito novilhos canulados no rúmen e duodeno, distribuídos em dois quadrados latinos 4 &#215; 4 e alimentados com cana-de-açúcar e cana-de-açúcar suplementada com uréia, farelo de soja ou farelo de glúten de milho-60. O pH e a concentração de N-NH3 foram mensurados no fluido ruminal antes e 2, 4, 6 e 8 horas após o fornecimento da ração. Utilizou-se a fibra em detergente ácido indigestível como indicador de fluxo duodenal. A eficiência microbiana foi determinada pelas bases purinas.As fontes de proteína degradável no rúmen não influenciaram a degradabilidade da matéria seca, entretanto, o maior valor de degradabilidade efetiva da FDN foi obtido com a cana-de-açúcar com farelo de soja. O pH e a concentração de N-NH3 observados com todas as dietas foram adequados para o crescimento dos microrganismos ruminais. A deficiência de nitrogênio degradável no rúmen não influencia a síntese de proteína microbiana e a dinâmica de fase líquida.The objective of this work was to evaluate the ruminal degradable nitrogen (RDN) deficit using as roughage sugar cane supplemented with urea, soybean meal, or corn gluten meal 60 on the microbial synthesis efficiency, in situ dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability. The treatments were: sugar cane, sugar cane with urea, soybean meal or corn gluten meal 60. Eight rumen and duodenum cannulated steers were used and arranged according to two 4 &#215; 4 Latin Squares. The pH and N-NH3 were determined in the ruminal fluid before and 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after feeding. The duodenal flow was estimated by indigestible acid detergent fiber. The microbial efficiency was determined by purine. RDN did not affect the DM and the highest effective degradability was observed in sugar cane supplemented with soybean meal in the NDF degradability. The pH, N-NH3 values were appropriate to the microbial synthesis in all the evaluated diets. The RDN deficiency did not affect the microbial protein synthesis and the dynamics of the liquid phase.FAPES

Studies on bacterial community composition are affected by the time and storage method of the rumen content

The objective of this study was to investigate three storage methods and four storage times for rumen sampling in terms of quality and yield of extracted metagenomic DNA as well as the composition of the rumen bacterial community. One Nellore steer fitted with a ruminal silicone- type cannula was used as a donor of ruminal contents. The experiment comprised 11 experimental groups: pellet control (PC), lyophilized control (LC), P-20: pellet stored frozen at -20ÊC for a period of 3, 6, and 12 months, P-80: pellet stored frozen at -80ÊC for a period of 3, 6, and 12 months, and L-20: lyophilized sample stored frozen at -20ÊC for a period of 3, 6, and 12 months. Metagenomic DNA concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically and fluorometrically and ion torrent sequencing was used to assess the bacterial community composition. The L-20 method could not maintain the yield of DNA during storage. In addition, the P-80 group showed a greater yield of metagenomic DNA than the other groups after 6 months of storage. Rumen samples stored as pellets (P-20 and P-80) resulted in lower richness Chao 1, ACE, and Shannon Wiener indices when compared to PC, while LC and PC were only different in richness ACE. The storage method and storage time influenced the proportions of 14 of 17 phyla identified by sequencing. In the P-20 group, the proportion of Cyanobacteria, Elusimicrobia, Fibrobacteres, Lentisphaerae, Proteobacteria, and Spirochaetes phyla identified was lower than 1%. In the P-80 group, there was an increase in the proportion of the Bacteroidetes phylum (p = 0.010); however, the proportion of Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, SR1, Synergistetes, TM7, and WPS.2 phyla were unchanged compared to the PC group (p > 0.05). The class Clostridium was the most abundant in all stored groups and increased in its proportion, especially in the L-20 group. The rumen sample storage time significantly reduced the yield of metagenomic DNA extracted. Therefore, the storage method can influence the abundance of phyla, classes, and bacterial families studied in rumen samples and affect the richness and diversity index