EFFECT OF FUNGAL TREATMENTS OF SOME SELECTED FIBROUS FORAGES ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, IN VITRO GAS AND METHANE PRODUCTION

• O. J. Idowu

  Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

  Author

• A. S. Chaudhry

  School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle, UK.

  Author

• J. Dolfing

  School of Engineering, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle, UK.

  Author

• V. O. A. Ojo

  Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

  Author

Fungal improved feed is one of the alternative supplementary feeds that are used for dry season ruminants. This study therefore investigated the treatment of some fibrous grasses (Andropogon gayanus; AG, Brachiaria decumbens; BD and Lolium perenne; LP) and straw (Triticum aestivum; TA straw) with Ceriporiopsis rivulosus (CR) and Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) at 200C and 300C, respectively for 28 days. After which, the treated substrates were dried and sub samples taken for chemical analyses and in vitro study. The fungi improved the chemical composition of all the forages but were only capable of improving the in vitro rumen fermentation of BD and TA only and not with AG and LP. The improvement was recorded with increased total gas production in BD and TA straw by 6 - 10 % and 51 - 59 %, respectively; reduced methane (CH4) gas production by 51 – 55% and 26 – 43 %, respectively with higher improvement caused by C. rivulosus than P. ostreatus. It is concluded that not all the forages are capable of been improved nutritionally by fungi, however among those improved upon (BD and TA straw), C.rivulosus have greater potential in improving the nutritive value of the fibrous low quality forages in ruminant feeds than P. ostreatus.

1. O. J. Idowu, Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

   Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

2. A. S. Chaudhry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle, UK.

   School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle, UK.

3. J. Dolfing, School of Engineering, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle, UK.

   School of Engineering, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle, UK.

4. V. O. A. Ojo, Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

   Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

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