EFFECT OF AMMONIUM SULPHATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON METHANE PRODUCTION USING AN IN-VITRO GAS PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE

Résumé

The effect of ammonium sulphate on methane production was evaluated using an in-vitro gas production technique. A total of sixteen (16) West African Dwarf (WAD) rams weighing 12.8+0.12kg were assigned to diets containing 0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 % levels respectively. In a completely randomized design, each of ammonium sulphate and defined as T1, T2, T3 and T4  ram was fed 5 % body weight of the diet and wilted guinea grass in a 60:40 ratio for 105 days. At the end of the feeding trial, rumen liquor was collected from the sheep. The rumen liquor collected from rams within the same treatment was mixed together. During the incubation, the gas production was recorded at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 and 24hr. The results revealed that increased levels of ammonium sulphate decreased methane production and increase gas production. Although, the sum of ammonium sulphate did not differ among treatments, incubation at 24hr was greatly appreciated by 0.75% (NH),SO, (4.50ml). In addition, (NH,),SO, led to the highest IVDMD. Therefore, this study suggested that, (NH) SO, at 0.75% in the diet have the potential to reduce methane emission.