Ensiling Characteristics, In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Patterns, Feed Degradability, and Methane and Ammonia Production of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) Co-Ensiled with Artichoke Bracts (Cynara cardunculus L.)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Despite the importance of legume forage silage in ruminant livestock feeding, its low water-soluble carbohydrate content, great buffering capacity, and urea release to the environment limit its value. Ensilage of artichoke byproducts appears to be an environmentally efficient means of disposing of artichoke crops waste. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of berseem co-ensiling with graded levels of artichoke bracts on silage characteristics. Moreover, the changes in ruminal fermentation characteristics and methane and ammonia production were evaluated using a buffalo inoculum source. The results showed that the co-silage of berseem and artichoke bracts considerably enhanced the silage quality, particularly after 30 days of ensiling at intermediate ratios. Moreover, the in vitro rumen degradation was significantly improved by artichoke bracts concentration of 500 g/kg fresh forage. ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effect of co-ensiling increasing levels of artichoke bracts (Cynara cardunculus L.) with berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100, respectively) on silage quality after 0, 30, 60, and 120 days. Moreover, the in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and methane (CH(4)) and ammonia (NH(3)-N) production were evaluated using a buffalo inoculum source. The results showed that pH of the silage and the concentration of acetic, propionic, butyric acid, and NH(3)-N significantly decreased (L; p < 0.01) with the increasing amounts of artichoke bracts in the mixture. At 30 and 60 days of ensiling, the highest lactic acid concentration was observed at intermediate proportions of artichoke bracts (p < 0.01). Cumulative gas production was higher in artichoke bracts than in the berseem silage. After 24 h of incubation, the highest value (p < 0.05) of truly dry matter, organic matter, natural detergent fiber degradability, and NH(3)-N concentration was recorded with 500 g/kg of forage mixtures. As the artichoke bract concentration increased, the partitioning factor and ruminal pH declined linearly (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were observed for total volatile fatty acids and volatile fatty acids molar proportions. In summary, co-ensiling artichoke bracts with berseem at a ratio of 1:1 might be a promising and easy method for the production of high-quality silage from legume forage with positively manipulating rumen fermentation.