Manipulation of rumen nitrogen flows by use of festulolium hybrids in rumen simulation fermenters

Abstract

Festulolium is an interspecific hybrid between Lolium and Festuca species which combines the superior forage quality characteristics of ryegrass with fescue's ability to grow in harsh environments. The aim of this study was to perform an integrated study of rumen nitrogen metabolism by using rumen simulation to explore the extent to which swards containing Festulolium populations previously shown to have decreased rates of endogenous protein degradation can confer advantageous protein utilisation in comparison with a currently market leading diploid ryegrass. An in vitro experiment was therefore conducted using three Festulolium hybrids: L. perenne × F. glaucescens (LpFg); L. perenne × F. mairei(LpFm); and L. multiflorum × F. glaucescens (LmFg) and Lolium perenne (Lp) as a control. Festulolium hybrids had higher conversion ratios of nitrogen into microbial protein than Lolium perenne thus suggesting greater potential to improve ruminal nitrogen use efficiency in a fresh feeding system. This would help to increase production efficiency as well as decreasing the environmental impact of livestock agriculture.