Methane production from lactating Bhadawari and Murrah breeds of buffalo fed wheat straw-concentrate diet

Abstract

To determine the buffalo breed difference in methane emission, six animals three each of lactating Bhadari and Murrah buffalo with mean body weight of 441.87±7.95 kg and 515.40±2.54 kg were used to estimate the nutrients digestibility and methane production. Animals of both breeds were fed wheat straw-concentrate for one month and a digestion trial was conducted for 6 days. During this period gas expired by animals was collected from each animal in canisters for 24 h following SF6 technique. Gas samples (4 to 5) were collected from each animal to estimate the CH₄ production. Dry matter intake of Murrah bufflo (12.26) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than Bhadawari (8.96 kg/d). The dry matter and organic matter digestibility of wheat straw-concentrate diet was similar between both Bhadawari and Murrah buffalo breeds. Crude protein digestibility tended to be higher in Bhadawari (62.27) than Murrah buffalo (57.49%). The ADF and cellulose digestibility was relatively less in Bhadawari (41.45 and 58.81) than Murrah buffaloes (45.67 and 62.44%), while NDF and hemi-cellulose digestibility was at par between both buffalo breeds. Methane production g/Kg DDMI was lower (P<0.05) in Bhadwari (21.49 and 34.96) than Murrah breed buffaloes (23.26 and 41.88) on wheat straw-concentrate diet. Methane production (g/kg milk) was lower (P<0.05) for Bhadawari breed (42.78) than Murrah buffloes (49.96). It is evident from study that Bhadawari breed animal produced less methane per kg of feed intake and per kg of milk yield than Murrah breed animals.