Addition of Tannin-Containing Legumes to Native Grasslands: Effects on Enteric Methane Emissions, Nitrogen Losses and Animal Performance of Beef Cattle

Fabiano Barbosa Alecrim, Thais Devincenzi, Rafael Reyno, América Mederos, Claudia Simón Zinno, Julieta Mariotta, Fernando A. Lattanzi, Gabriel Nuto Nóbrega, Daniel Santander, José Ignacio Gere, Lívia Irigoyen and Verónica S. Ciganda ()
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Fabiano Barbosa Alecrim: Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidad de Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil
Thais Devincenzi: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo 11500, Uruguay
Rafael Reyno: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo 11500, Uruguay
América Mederos: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo 11500, Uruguay
Claudia Simón Zinno: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo 11500, Uruguay
Julieta Mariotta: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo 11500, Uruguay
Fernando A. Lattanzi: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo 11500, Uruguay
Gabriel Nuto Nóbrega: Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidad de Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói 24020-141, RJ, Brazil
Daniel Santander: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo 11500, Uruguay
José Ignacio Gere: Engineering Research and Development Division, National Technological University (UTN), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1179, Argentina
Lívia Irigoyen: Programa de Pós Graduação em Zootecnica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90010-150, RG, Brazil
Verónica S. Ciganda: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo 11500, Uruguay

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-15

Abstract: Extensive cattle production on native grasslands is vital to the sustainability of the South American Pampas, and the inclusion of tannin-containing legumes can increase farm profitability, improve nitrogen (N) use and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study quantified the effects of adding tannin-containing legumes to native grasslands on enteric methane (CH 4 ) emissions, animal performance and N balance in cattle. A crossover design trial was conducted with 22 beef heifers under two treatments: native grassland (NG) and native grassland with the addition of Lotus uliginosus and L. angustissimus (NG+L). The results showed that forage mass disappearance was similar between treatments; however, 54% of the forage disappearance in the NG+L corresponded with legumes, indicating that the heifers in this treatment consumed a better-quality diet. While individual CH 4 emissions were similar between treatments, heifers grazing the NG+L showed a higher average daily gain (ADG) and lower emissions intensity than heifers grazing NGs (0.25 vs. 0.58 g CH 4 /g ADG, p < 0.05). Additionally, they also ingested 20% more N and were more efficient in its utilization. Incorporating tannin-containing legumes into native grasslands can improve animal productivity and N use efficiency while reducing the intensity of enteric CH 4 emissions.

Keywords: emissions mitigation; enteric methane; legume; nitrogen excretion; SF 6 tracer technique (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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