Effect of biochar on in vitro rumen methane production

Abstract

Biochar is a pyrolyzed biomass that improves soil properties, adsorbs gases, and stores carbon. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of three biochar products on in vitro fermentation of feed and CH₄ production from buffered rumen fluid. The experiment was undertaken with a control feed, activated carbon, or one of three biochars: gasified, wood-based, and straw-based. The additives were dosed at 9% of the feed dry matter (DM). Half (0.5) gram feed samples, sealed in filter bags, were incubated in buffered rumen fluid for 48 hours at 39°C. Additives were put into bottles, outside the filter bags. Addition of biochar products numerically, but not significantly, reduced CH₄ production between 11% and 17% compared to a control. The experiment showed that adding biochar to feed did not significantly affect the degradable DM and that biochar, used as a feed additive, might reduce in vitro rumen methane production.

Keywords:

• Cell wall degradation
• gas production
• rumen fermentation

Acknowledgements

This work was made possible through a collaborative research project with Thomas Harttung and the BlackCarbon Company, Barritskov Denmark, www.blackcarbon.dk, who enthusiastically provided the products and financial assistance necessary to complete the laboratory trial.