Potential of native forest leaves to modulate in vitro rumen fermentation and mitigate methane emission

Tree foliages rich in phytochemicals can be used as sustainable fodder for livestock to modulate rumen fermentation for cleaner and improved production. Samples of nine different forest tree leaves were collected from hilly regions of Arunachal Pradesh, India to study their effect on in vitro rumen fermentation and methane production. After 24 h of incubation, highest (P < 0.05) gas production (ml/g DM/24 h) was observed in Symplocos racemosa among the leaves. Methane production (ml/g DDM/24 h) was lowest (P < 0.05) in Symplocos crataegoides followed by Berberis aristata leaves, while in vitro true dry matter digestibility was highest (P < 0.05) for Berberis aristata leaves. In case of rumen fermentation attributes, B. aristata and S. crataegoides produced maximum volatile fatty acid and microbial biomass amongst other screened leaves. Therefore, these leaves can be used as a fodder supplement to address feed scarcity and reduce methanogenesis in ruminants of the North East hilly regions of India.