EFFECT OF TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM- BRASSICA JUNCEA ON METHANE PRODUCTION IN BUFFALO AND CROSS BREED CATTLE

Methane (CH4) is a green house gas; it can trap heat 25 times more per molecule than Carbon dioxide and is expected to cause 15-17% of the global warming over the next 50 years. Livestock, particularly the ruminants accounts for a significant proportion of the global methane budget, about 65-100 million tons per Annam. Agricultural emission of CH4 accounts for about 60% of the total CH4 from anthropogenic sources, out of which 25% arises from enteric fermentation in livestock. We studied the effect of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and Mustard (Brassica juncea) with different concentrations (F20, F60, F80 and M20, M60, M80) on methane production control in Cattle and buffalo by invitro experiment. Methane emission was reduced in Buffalo and Cattle by the addition of mustard in diet from 11.51% to 12.74% and 13.93% to 16.33% levels, respectively, whereas no significant reduction in methane % was observed with Fenugreek supplemented diet. More studies were required to validate the results under in vivo conditions.