INHIBITION OF RUMINAL METHANE GAS PRODUCTION BY USING MICROORGANISM

Abstract

Increasing atmospheric concentrations of methane have led scientists to examine its sources of origin. Ruminant livestock can produce 250 to 500 L of methane per day Jhons et al.(1994). This level of production results in estimates of the contribution by cattle to global warming that may occur in the next 50 to 100 yr to be a little less than 2%. Many factors influence methane emissions from ruminant and include the following: level of feed intake, type of carbohydrate in the diet, feed processing, addition of lipids or ionophores to the diet, and alterations in the ruminal micro flora. Manipulation of these factors can reduce methane emissions from cattle. By using cylinder method of gas production developed by Menke et al.(1979) the inhibition of methane gas production was observed . For this purpose we have conducted several trials by using cylinder with rumen content and mineral mixture. 200mg feed sample was taken in each cylinder and as methane gas inhibitor, I have used specific microorganism in one cylinder considered as treated cylinder(T1). Result shows that methane production reduced 35.57% in microorganism treated sample than controlled one which is statistically significant at 1% level. This research can be continued to know any alteration of rumen physiology for using microorganism.