Effect of Dried Leaves of <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> on Rumen Fermentation, Rumen Microbial Population, and Enteric Methane Production in Crossbred Heifers

• Main Authors: María Denisse Montoya-Flores, Isabel Cristina Molina-Botero, Jacobo Arango, José Luis Romano-Muñoz, Francisco Javier Solorio-Sánchez, Carlos Fernando Aguilar-Pérez, Juan Carlos Ku-Vera
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: <i>leucaena leucocephala</i>; methane; digestibility; volatile fatty acids
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/2/300

The effects of dietary inclusion of dried <i>Leucaena</i> <i>leucocephala</i> leaves (DLL) on nutrient digestibility, fermentation parameters, microbial rumen population, and production of enteric methane (CH₄) in crossbred heifers were evaluated. Four heifers were used in a 4 &#215; 4 Latin square design consisting of four periods and four levels of inclusion of DLL: 0%, 12%, 24%, and 36% of dry matter (DM) intake. Results showed that DM intake (DMI), organic matter intake, and gross energy intake (GEI) were similar (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05) among treatments. Apparent digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and energy decreased with increasing levels of DLL in the ration (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). In contrast, digestible crude protein (CP) was higher (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) in treatments with 12% and 24% DM of DLL. The inclusion of DLL did not affect (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05) rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids. Rumen microbial community was not affected (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05) by treatment. There was a linear reduction (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) in CH₄ emissions as the levels of DLL in the ration were increased. Results of this study suggest that an inclusion of 12% DM of ration as DLL enhances digestible CP and reduces daily production of enteric CH₄ without adversely affecting DMI, rumen microbial population, and fermentation parameters.