In vitroAND METHANE GAS PRODUCTION OF Cenchrus purpureus AS INFLUENCED BY GRADED LEVELS OF GINGER POWDER INCLUSION

Abstract

ABSTRACT Livestock production is one of the strong pillars of food industry and they contribute to global climate change by emitting greenhouse gases from enteric fermentation and manure management. This experiment was carried out to investigate onin vitro gas production of Cenchrus purpureus as influenced by graded levels of ginger powder inclusion. The effect of different inclusion levels of ginger powder meal on the proximate composition, fibre fractions of C. purpureus, in vitro gas production and post incubation parameters were carried out. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with Cenchrus purpureusand different inclusion levels of Zingiber officinale (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10mg/g). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in the gas volume produced across the hours of incubation due to the effect of the ginger powder inclusion levels compared to the control. The gas volumes recorded at the 6th, 12th and 24th hour of incubation increased at 5.0mg/g and 7.5 mg/g of ginger powder inclusion level. Gas volumes recorded at the highest inclusion level of ginger powder (10mg/g) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the control across the recorded hours of incubation. On the other hand, CH4 and methane percentage values decreased as the inclusion levels of ginger powder increased in the inoculum, while there were no significant (p>0.05) differences in the in vitro dry matter digestibility values.It can be concluded that ginger powder inclusion increased gas production at levels of 5.0mg/g and 7.5mg/g. Methane production and methane percentage decreased as the ginger powder inclusion levels increased.Based on the positive effects on fermentation parameters at inclusion levels of 5.0mg/g or 7.5mg/g of ginger powder per unit of feed is recommended for optimal results.