Simple Summary Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas also released by ruminants due to their physiological digestive process. A strong knowledge of the emission level of each species and on the variability, factors is needed to target the best mitigation strategy for the livestock sector. To assess these emissions, non-invasive and feasible technologies, such as Laser Methane Detectors (LMD), are now available. The present study represents the first assessment of methane emissions in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes with LMD and investigates the effect of the season on these emissions. The results obtained showed that the season significantly influenced emissions, since lower values were found in summer when compared to the winter period; therefore, this should be considered when setting up a measurement protocol with LMD. A direct assessment of the methane (CH4) emission level and its variability factors is needed in each animal species in order to target the best mitigation strategy for the livestock sector. Therefore, the present study aimed to (1) test a laser methane detector (LMD) for the first time in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (IMB), a non-invasive tool to quantify CH4 emissions; (2) test the effect of season on the emissions; and (3) compare the results measured directly with the ones estimated with the existing equations. CH4 emissions of twenty non-productive IMB, under the same feeding regimen, were monitored for 12 days in summer and winter. Significantly higher THI (74.46 +/- 1.88 vs. 49.62 +/- 4.87; p < 0.001), lower DMI (2.24 +/- 0.04 vs. 2.51 +/- 0.03% DMI/kg live weight; p < 0.001) and lower emission intensities (0.61 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.75 +/- 0.13; p < 0.001) were found during the summer period when compared with winter. LMD was found to be a versatile tool to be used in buffaloes, and it was clear that a summer increase in THI could act as a stressor for the animals, influencing their emissions. In addition, measured emissions were significantly higher than when estimated with the existing equations (p < 0.001), suggesting the need for further research in this area.
Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Methane Emissions of Mediterranean Buffaloes Using a Laser Methane Detector / Lanzoni, L.; Chagunda, M. G. G.; Fusaro, I.; Chincarini, M.; Giammarco, M.; Atzori, A. S.; Podaliri, M.; Vignola, G.. - In: ANIMALS. - ISSN 2076-2615. - 12:24(2022). [10.3390/ani12243487]
Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Methane Emissions of Mediterranean Buffaloes Using a Laser Methane Detector
Atzori A. S.Writing – Review & Editing
;
2022-01-01
Abstract
Simple Summary Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas also released by ruminants due to their physiological digestive process. A strong knowledge of the emission level of each species and on the variability, factors is needed to target the best mitigation strategy for the livestock sector. To assess these emissions, non-invasive and feasible technologies, such as Laser Methane Detectors (LMD), are now available. The present study represents the first assessment of methane emissions in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes with LMD and investigates the effect of the season on these emissions. The results obtained showed that the season significantly influenced emissions, since lower values were found in summer when compared to the winter period; therefore, this should be considered when setting up a measurement protocol with LMD. A direct assessment of the methane (CH4) emission level and its variability factors is needed in each animal species in order to target the best mitigation strategy for the livestock sector. Therefore, the present study aimed to (1) test a laser methane detector (LMD) for the first time in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (IMB), a non-invasive tool to quantify CH4 emissions; (2) test the effect of season on the emissions; and (3) compare the results measured directly with the ones estimated with the existing equations. CH4 emissions of twenty non-productive IMB, under the same feeding regimen, were monitored for 12 days in summer and winter. Significantly higher THI (74.46 +/- 1.88 vs. 49.62 +/- 4.87; p < 0.001), lower DMI (2.24 +/- 0.04 vs. 2.51 +/- 0.03% DMI/kg live weight; p < 0.001) and lower emission intensities (0.61 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.75 +/- 0.13; p < 0.001) were found during the summer period when compared with winter. LMD was found to be a versatile tool to be used in buffaloes, and it was clear that a summer increase in THI could act as a stressor for the animals, influencing their emissions. In addition, measured emissions were significantly higher than when estimated with the existing equations (p < 0.001), suggesting the need for further research in this area.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
