Replacing Alfalfa with Pakchong1 Hay Reduces Methane Production without Compromising Digestibility

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Özkan Ç. Ö., Kurt Ö., Bakır T., Bilal Y., Selçuk B.

JOURNAL OF THE HELLENIC VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY, cilt.77, sa.3, ss.10729-10736, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Özet

The current research aimed to assess the effect of substituting alfalfa hay with Pakchong-1 hay on the digestibility and methane emissions of a total mixed diet through the in vitro gas production method. Four diets were formulated with varying substitution levels (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%), while maintaining iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenic properties. The chemical composition, digestibility of organic matter digestibility (OMD), gas production, and methane levels were assessed accordingly. Findings indicated that a higher substitution of Pakchong-1 considerably reduced OMD, metabolic energy (ME), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and net energy for lactation (NEL). The greater incorporation of Pakchong-1 reduced gas output while raising methane production, shown as a fraction of gas. The findings indicate that while Pakchong-1 hay can serve as a partial alternative to alfalfa in ruminant diets, its elevated lignin levels may restrict digestibility and energy accessibility; therefore, a thorough evaluation is necessary when incorporating Pakchong-1 into feed formulations. Consequently, addi-tional in vivo research is necessary to assess the effects of Pakchong-1 hay on feed consumption and the overall productivity of the animal.