Assessment of enteric methane emission of Indian livestock in different agro-ecological regions
In the present study an estimation of livestock enteric CH4 emission has been made from feeding systems (diets) for different animal functions (maintenance, production and growth) prevailing in different agroecological regions (AERs) of India using livestock population 2003. Estimations comprised of dietary intake, digestibility and CH4 emission factors for ruminant species of different age groups determined from feeding systems/diets. Methane production (ml g–1) from production diets in animal species tended to be more than growth and maintenance diets. Methane production (g kg digestible dry matter (DDM–1)) and percentage energy loss as CH4 varied significantly amongst diets, animal species and AER. Indian livestock emitted 9.10 T CH4 from enteric fermentation. Contribution of female animal stock was more than males, except indigenous cattle, where males contributed more (53.60%) than females (46.40%). Wide variability recorded in the study for intake, digestibility, CH4 production and CH4 emission factors in the animal species for prevailing feeding systems/diets presents ample scope to abate the livestock resource CH4 production through appropriate nutritional interventions.