The Effect of Humic Acid Supplementation on Selected Ruminal Fermentation Parameters and Protozoal Generic Distribution in Cows

Svetlana Malyugina () and Pavel Horky
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Svetlana Malyugina: Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage Production, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1665, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
Pavel Horky: Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage Production, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1665, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of humic acid (HA) supplementation on the rumen fermentation and protozoal community in the rumen. For this purpose, four ruminally cannulated Simmental cows were randomly assigned in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to study the effect of HA dietary supplementation on feed utilization, rumen fermentation, and protozoal community for 84 days. The basal diet (BD) was composed of meadow hay (68.2% of dry matter [DM]), maize silage (17% of DM), and granulated feed mixture (14.9% of DM). There were four treatments, including the BD without additives (control diet, H0), the BD supplemented with 50 g HA/cow/day (H50 treatment), the BD supplemented with 100 g HA/cow/day (H100 treatment), and the BD supplemented with 200 g HA/cow/day (H200 treatment). HA supplementation did not affect the total or individual volatile fatty acid concentrations, the total protozoa, or the ruminal pH. However, HA at the dosage of 50 g/cow/day increased the NH 3 -N concentration and fecal nitrogen compared to the control ( p < 0.001). HA supplementation also significantly impacted the abundance of individual protozoal genera in the rumen. The results of this study suggest that HA has potential in ruminants as a natural feed additive and may play a role in nitrogen metabolism and stabilizing the protozoal community without adverse effects on rumen fermentation.

Keywords: humic acid; animal nutrition; rumen; ciliated protozoa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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