Evaluation of biomass from integrated systems as an alternative for greenhouse gas mitigation: an in vitro approach

• Grant number: 24/23553-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Adibe Luiz Abdalla
• Grantee: Vivian Evangelista
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), AP.CEPID

Abstract

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is essential for tackling climate change and promoting sustainability in livestock farming. Integrated systems, such as silvopastoral systems, which combine tree and shrub components with grasses and ruminants, are particularly effective in this mitigation, as they increase biodiversity, improve soil quality and reduce GHG emissions through carbon sequestration and a decrease in methane production. This project aims to evaluate the potential of different biomasses from integrated systems and seaweed in reducing methane emissions, using in vitro techniques. Experiments will be carried out to analyse the rumen fermentation efficiency, gas production and fermentation parameters of diets composed of Urochloa brizantha (Xaraés grass) in combination with Moringa oleifera, Tithonia diversifolia, Chloroleucon acacioides, Samanea tubulosa and Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte, with and without the addition of algae, to identify the most effective diets for reducing methane emissions. The analysis will include in vitro batch gas production and continuous rumen fermentation techniques, focusing on bromatological evaluation, fermentation parameters, CH4 emission, isotopic analysis and rumen microbiota. This study aims to provide essential data for the formulation of more sustainable and effective diets to mitigate the environmental impacts of livestock farming, contributing to the sustainability of the environment.