Changes in pig diet mitigates greenhouse emissions.

Changes in pig diet mitigates greenhouse emissions. A new research has shown that inclusion of agroindustrial by-products in pig feed can reduce the nitrous oxide emissions (N2O) of the slurry used as manures up to 65%. The research undertaken by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) shows that the inclusion of agroindustrial by-products in pig feed can reduce the nitrous oxide emissions (N2O) of the slurry used as manures up to 65%. The aim of the study carried was to influence the ingredients of pig diet to modify the composition of slurry used as manures and to assess the possible variations on N2O emissions. Nitrogen fertilizers, organic or mineral, are responsible for most of the N2O emissions from agricultural activity. This gas has a heating potential 300 times higher than CO2, this is the reason why it is essential to develop mitigation strategies. N2O emissions are mainly caused by microbiological processes known as nitrification and denitrification. When a nitrogen fertilizer is added to the soil, it increases its microbiological activity by activating both processes that at the same time they depend on factors such as such as climatic, edaphic and field management. Researchers from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y Universidad Politécnica de Valencia have focused on the beginning of the chain, where the animal by-products are produced and then are revalued as fertilizers. Two by-products typical from the Mediterranean region were selected to carry out this study, orange pulp and carob. These by-products were added into commercial diets of pigs in substitution of cereals, being respectful with the balance that these diets require to satisfy the animal needs. It was proved that, without a doubt, the excreted components through feces and urine (slurry), for example nitrogenous fractions, lignin, phenolic compounds, etc., varied according to diet. Slurries were used as fertilizers on agricultural soils cultivated with ryegrass, a forage plant used as food for livestock. more