Ensiling Characteristics, In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Patterns, Feed Degradability, and Methane and Ammonia Production of Berseem (<i>Trifolium alexandrinum</i> L.) Co-Ensiled with Artichoke Bracts (<i>Cynara cardunculus</i> L.)
Mariam G. Ahmed | Adham A. Al-Sagheer | Ahmed M. El-Waziry | Samir Z. El-Zarkouny | Eman A. Elwakeel
This study investigated the effect of co-ensiling increasing levels of artichoke bracts (<i>Cynara cardunculus</i> L.) with berseem (<i>Trifolium alexandrinum</i> L.) (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100, respectively) on silage quality after 0, 30, 60, and 120 days. Moreover, the in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) and ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>-N) production were evaluated using a buffalo inoculum source. The results showed that pH of the silage and the concentration of acetic, propionic, butyric acid, and NH<sub>3</sub>-N significantly decreased (L; <i>p</i> < 0.01) with the increasing amounts of artichoke bracts in the mixture. At 30 and 60 days of ensiling, the highest lactic acid concentration was observed at intermediate proportions of artichoke bracts (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Cumulative gas production was higher in artichoke bracts than in the berseem silage. After 24 h of incubation, the highest value (<i>p</i> < 0.05) of truly dry matter, organic matter, natural detergent fiber degradability, and NH<sub>3</sub>-N concentration was recorded with 500 g/kg of forage mixtures. As the artichoke bract concentration increased, the partitioning factor and ruminal pH declined linearly (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were observed for total volatile fatty acids and volatile fatty acids molar proportions. In summary, co-ensiling artichoke bracts with berseem at a ratio of 1:1 might be a promising and easy method for the production of high-quality silage from legume forage with positively manipulating rumen fermentation.
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