Investigating the use of Chenopodium quinoa to improve rumen biofermentability and reduction of methane and carbon dioxide production

Abstract

Quinoa forage can be used as a sustainable source of ruminants to reduce environmental pollution. This study aimed to assess the chemical composition, in vitro fermentation and in situ degradability of quinoa forage in harvestable stages and compare the nutritional value of this forage with alfalfa. Experimental treatments were: Al, alfalfa forage; Q45, Q95 and Q125, quinoa harvested 45, 95 and 125 days after planting respectively. The increment of harvesting time in quinoa increased the quantities of NDFom, ADFom and ADL but reduced the contents of CP, EE, total phenolics (TP), total tannins (TT), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) (P < 0.0001). Total VFAs were decreased in Q125 and Q145 treatments versus Al treatment and this VFA decreased with increasing plant age (P < 0.0001). The concentration of acetate and the acetate to propionate ratio (P < 0.0001) in quinoa forages were lower, while the concentration of propionate was higher than that in the alfalfa (P = 0.0002). Applying quinoa forage reduced CH₄ production (P = 0.0002) and NH₃-N concentration (P = 0.0004), total protozoa (P < 0.0001), subfamilies of Entodiniinae (P < 0.0001) Ophrioscolecinae (P = 0.029) in comparison with Al. The amounts of fresh and dry quinoa forages/ha and WU and WUE increased with the quinoa growing (P < 0.0001). Applying quinoa forage in ruminant's diets may be a substitute answer to ecological problems in some areas where usual plants cannot grow as a result of the salinity and dryness of the soil.