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Cattle Diets Strongly Affect Nitrous Oxide in the Rumen

Author

Listed:
  • Katrin Gerlach

    (Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany)

  • Alexander J. Schmithausen

    (Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany)

  • Ansgar C. H. Sommer

    (Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany)

  • Manfred Trimborn

    (Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany)

  • Wolfgang Büscher

    (Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany)

  • Karl-Heinz Südekum

    (Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

This study aimed at assigning climate-relevant gaseous emissions from ruminants to animal- or feed-related origin. Three adult rumen-cannulated German Holstein steers and three forage types (corn silage (CS), alfalfa silage (AS) and grass hay (GH)) were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Each period consisted of 12 days (d), during which animals received 10 kg dry matter/day of one forage as sole feed. Gaseous samples from forages and the steers´ rumen were taken and analyzed for CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O using gas chromatography. There were large differences in the amounts of CO 2 and N 2 O emitting from the forage types. Most N 2 O came from AS and only small amounts from GH and CS. Results indicate that fermented forages rich in nitrogen can release climate-relevant N 2 O. The highest CO 2 amounts were measured in CS. Methane was not detected in any forage sample. Animals consuming CS showed slightly lower CH 4 concentrations in the rumen gas sample than animals fed AS or GH. Big differences were found for ruminal N 2 O with the highest concentration after AS ingestion such that the N 2 O measured in the rumen seems to originate from the used feedstuff.

Suggested Citation

  • Katrin Gerlach & Alexander J. Schmithausen & Ansgar C. H. Sommer & Manfred Trimborn & Wolfgang Büscher & Karl-Heinz Südekum, 2018. "Cattle Diets Strongly Affect Nitrous Oxide in the Rumen," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3679-:d:175580
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kishan Mahmud & Dinesh Panday & Anaas Mergoum & Ali Missaoui, 2021. "Nitrogen Losses and Potential Mitigation Strategies for a Sustainable Agroecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, February.
    2. Ilkka Leinonen, 2019. "Achieving Environmentally Sustainable Livestock Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-5, January.

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