Influence of encapsulated nitrate and sulfur in the diet on metabolism and methane emission in cattle

Author(s)

Lucas Rocha Rebelo

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
• Defense date: 2017-06-19
• Advisor: Telma Teresinha Berchielli; Juliana Duarte Messana

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the replacement of true protein source as well as the conventional NPN source (urea) by encapsulated NO3 - (En) plus elemental sulfur (S) on microbial protein synthesis efficiency, and CH4 emission in Nellore beef cattle. Five ruminally-cannulated Nellore steers (352.7 ± 38.4 kg BW) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design with 5 periods of 21 d each. Tifton 85 hay was used as forage and the basal concentrate consisted of corn, soybean meal, and commercial mineral supplement (50:50 wt/wt, forage:concentrate). Urea, En and S were added to compose the other diets. The treatments were: true protein from soybean meal as control (SBM); urea (U); U plus elemental S (US); encapsulated NO3 - (EN); and EN plus elemental S (ENS). En was included in 2% on dietary DM (1.42% NO3 - anion), while the inclusion of urea in U and US diets was 0.8% on dietary DM. The inclusion of S for U and EN diets was 0.24% on dietary DM, and the N:S ratio was reduced from 8:1 to 4:1 with the addition of S. En was gradually included from 0.5 to 2% on dietary DM by 0.5% every 4 d. The orthogonal contrasts for specific partitioning of treatment effects were: SBM vs. EN + ENS; U + US vs. EN + ENS; U vs. US; and EN vs. ENS. Steers displayed adequate MetHb levels as dietary En content increased. Organic matter and aNDF intake were smaller (P ≤ 0.01) for animals fed En diets compared to SBM. Digestibility of DM, OM, and GE were greater (P ≤ 0.01) when fed En diets compared to urea. Ruminal pH was greater (P = 0.01) and ruminal NH3-N was smaller (P = 0.01) for animals fed En diets compared to urea. Compared to urea, En supply resulted in lower propionate proportion (P = 0.01), but increased (P ≤ 0.03) acetate proportion and acetate:propionate ratio. Nitrogen intake was smaller (P ≤ 0.07) with En supply compared to SBM and urea. Retained N (g N/d) for animals fed En diets was smaller (P = 0.01) compared to SBM and urea. Microbial N (MN; g MN/d) tended to increase (P = 0.06) with En inclusion compared to SBM, and was increased (P ≤ 0.04) by the addition of elemental S to NPN diets. Encapsulated NO3 - diets supply increased (P ≤ 0.01) MN as a proportion of CPI (g MN/kg CPI), increased (P = 0.02) MN efficiency based on digestible OM intake (DOMI; g MN/kg DOMI) compared to SBM, and as well tended to increase (P = 0.09) g MN/kg DOMI compared to urea. The addition of elemental S to NPN diets tended to increase (P ≥ 0.05) g MN/kg CPI, and increased (P = 0.04) g MN/kg DOMI when included in EN. Animals fed En diets decreased (P = 0.02) CH4 emission by 31.2 (g CH4/d), and tended to decrease (P = 0.06) CH4 emission (g CH4/kg DMI, and CH4 as % of GEI) when compared to SBM. Thus, En plus elemental S as a dietary additive replacing part of true protein of the ration or totally urea can optimize microbial protein synthesis efficiency and concomitantly decrease CH4 emission by Nellore beef cattle. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/01562-0 - Effect of replace sources of nitrogen (soybean meal or urea) by encapsulated nitrate with or without elemental sulfur on ruminal fermentation and enteric methane emission in feedlot cattle
• Grantee: Lucas Rocha Rebelo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master