The use of citrus pulps as an alternative feed sources in ruminant feeding and its methane production capacities

In order to determine the use of citrus pulps grown in Hatay province as an alternative feed source in ruminant feeding and methane production capacity; Dry matter, pH, required pH value, Fleig Score, Crude Ash, Crude Protein, Ether Extract, ADF, NDF, net gas, net methane gas, methane gas, metabolic energy and organic matter digestibility contents were determined. Citrus silage, with the pH values between 2.72 and 3.48 due to its low pH content can be considered as a type of silage that can be stored for a long time. In terms of methane gas production capacity of citrus silage was found between 8,17-11,23% and the lowest methane gas content was found in peeled grapefruit type citrus the highest methane content was found in unpeeled Washington type. Citrus silages can be considered as a low harmful type of silage with low capacity in terms of greenhouse gas emission due to the lower methane gas production capacity of silage species such as alfalfa and corn (16-18%). In terms of methane gas production capacity, unpeeled citrus silages are more favorable than peeled citrus silages. As a result, thousands of tons of citrus fruit pulps, which are pouring out around every year in fruit juice production facilities, can be used in animal feeding without any additives in order to reduce feed costs and prevent bad smell and environmental pollution.