Effects of different levels of biochar on methane, carbon dioxide production and digestibility of para grass (Brachiaria mutica) in in vitro incubation

Abstract

The objectivie of this study was to evaluate adding levels of biochar on methane, carbon dioxide and digestibility of para grass in in vitro incubation. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications of five treatments which are different levels of biochar added to para grass (Brachiaria mutica) at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%, namely BC0, BC0.5, BC1, BC1.5, and BC2, respectively. The incubation lasted for 72 hours with measurements of gas, methane and carbon dioxide production at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The results showed that the total CH4 production (ml/g) and organic matter digestibility (%) after 72-hour incubation significantly decreased (P<0,05) among the treatments by increase of levels of biochar with the highest values for the BC0 treatment (54.8ml/g and 71.6%, respectively). It could be concluded that adding biochar to the para grass could reduce in vitro gas, methane and carbon dioxide production up to 2.0%; however, the reduction of organic matter digestibility was also found. These results supply key information for application in vivo study to reduce greenhouse emissions and increase ruminant performance.