Artemisia plant oil effectively reduces enteric methane emissions in Sahiwal calves
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Authors
-
Gotam Mondal
Dr Goutam Mondal
Principal Scientist,
Aimal Nutrition Division
National Dairy Research Institute,
Karnal-132001, Haryana
E mail: gmondal1075@gmail.com
Keywords:
Essential oil, Enteric emission, livestockAbstract
Livestock sector contributes significant atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) leading to climate change. There are several plants and their products have capacity to reduce the enteric methane emission from ruminant livestock. Artemisia annua EO's potential to reduce ruminant methane is investigated. In vitro trials with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm of essential oil in a 60:40 (roughage to concentrate) ratio revealed significant methane reductions at 50 ppm (20.90%) and 100 ppm (27.31%) with improved IVDMD and IVOMD (P<0.005). Acetate production decrease significantly with supplementation while propionate decreased beyond 100 ppm. Fifteen male Sahiwal calves were used in a 70day feeding trial, testing 50 and 100 ppm EO (T1 and T2 groups) against a control. Final metabolic trials revealed no significant differences between the groups for body weight, daily gain, DMI, FCR, digestibility or nitrogen balance.Enteric methane emission (g/d) decreased significantly in T1 by 13.36% and in T2 by 10.83% compared to the control. Methane emissions (g/kg DMI) also decreased by 18.52% in T1 and 14.18% in T2. Artemisia annua essential oil at 50 and 100 ppm mitigates calves enteric methane while maintaining normal nutrient utilization and growth. Therefore, Essential oil may be an option to reduce enteric emission and sustainable dairy production.
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