Research Proposal: Country specific preliminary assessment of methane emissions for large ruminant production systems and mitigation strategies through diet and rumen microbiome manipulation Ref.No.SSTCRC2491
1. Introduction
Production of GHG especially the methane (CH4) from the livestock sector has been identified as one of the major contributors to the global emissions of CH4 and approximates about 14.5% per annum. Methane is produced as a result of enteric fermentation in the gastro-intestinal tract of animals (reticulo-rumen and hindgut) and in the manure by micro-organisms called methanogenic archaea. Pakistan and China are holding a significant portion of world livestock population and their collective contribution in the global CH4 production is about 16% from agriculture related CH4 emission. These figures are based on estimates and there are significant discrepancies in the data reporting global GHG emissions between top-up and bottom-up approaches. Therefore, sincere efforts are required with focused strategies to: 1) accurately estimate the current emissions of CH4 from the agricultural sector, especially livestock and 2) mitigate CH4 emissions for ruminant livestock systems.
2. Research Progress
As a first objective, the current emissions of CH4 from the large animal production systems will be estimated based on the animal performance data according to the IPCC (2006) approach. The second study objective will be to identify and screen forages and feed supplements from both countries for their CH4 mitigation potential using the in vitro techniques. Total as well as individual gas production in the mixture of gases will be recorded and rumen fermentation parameters and microbial population diversity will be determined. As a third objective, financially viable and technically possible feeding strategies using climate friendly feeding resources identified for their CH4 mitigation potential during in vitro screening will be devised. Intake, nutrient digestibility, disease prevalence, rumen fermentation and microbiome diversity parameters will be studied. Further, the possible ruminal microbiome manipulations will be applied both during in vitro and in vivo studies to mitigate CH4 emissions. Animal and plants databases will be established. The forth objective will be fulfilled by establishing a database at national level and communicated to the policy makers and authorities and intended communities. Identified climate friendly feedstuffs and microbes will be registered and produced commercially in collaboration with commercial firms, as the last objective.
3. Cooperation required
This proposal will be a combination of various project activities i.e. estimation and measurement of GHG, screening of feedstuffs to reduce GHG in vitro and in vivo, and manipulation of rumen microbial population for the reduction of GHG gases. Therefore, a team of scientists will be required to cater each project activity. Therefore,
· the expertise of the people from rumen microbiology and environment sustainability will be required.
· the expertise to work with rumen cannulated animals and measure ruminal parameters(already have)
· Funds to establish and execute the proposal
4. Benefits & Outputs
The project will help us understand the impact of the GHG from ruminant systems into the environment and to mitigate the production of GHG to better livability and sustainability of the environment.
· 5 academic papers and 2 technical methane mitigation patents will be developed along the project.
· An expected 12-15% increase in animal production of meat and milk.
· A potential 25-30% reduction in enteric CH4 emissions from livestock.