The purpose of the current study is to determine the effects of the replacement of cassava chips with winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) tubers (WBTs) on gas production parameters, in vitro degradability, and ruminal fermentation in ruminant diets. The study was performed using a 3 × 4 factorial arrangements and was designed using a completely random method. Factor A employed three various roughage sources that were frequently used by locals to feed ruminants: Oryza sativa L. (a1), Brachiaria ruziziensis (a2), and Pennisetum purpureum (a3). The levels of WBTs substitutions for cassava chips at 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% in the diet were selected as factor B. The experiment’s findings revealed that replacing the cassava chips in the diet with WBTs at levels of 66 and 100% enhanced the fermentation process by producing a high gas volume at 96 h when Ruzi grass (RZ) was used as the main source of roughage (p < 0.01). The interaction between the roughage source and WBTs showed that organic matter (OM) degradability improved markedly in the case of RZ grass in combination with WBTs at all levels. Both the total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) at 8 h of incubation and the average value decreased when a complete substitution of casava chips with WBT (WBT 100%) was employed or when employing rice straw as the main source of roughage (p < 0.01). There was no interaction between WBTs and roughage source on the ammonia–nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentration (ml/dL) and rumen microbial count (p > 0.05). In summary, WBTs can be used effectively when combined with grass (Ruzi and Napier). The implementation of WBTs as a novel alternative feed may effectively replace cassava chips without affecting rumen function.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of replacing corn meal in ruminant diets with winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) tubers (WBT) on ruminal fermentation, gas production parameters, and in vitro degradability. The study employed a completely random design (CRD) in its execution. The experimental design employed was a completely randomized design (CRD), featuring eleven levels of corn meal substitution with winged bean tubers pellet (WBTP) at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%. The levels were grouped into four categories of replacement: control (0% in the diet), low levels (10%, 20%, and 30% in the diet), medium levels (40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% in the diet), and high levels (80%, 90%, and 100% in the diet). The experimental results indicated that substituting corn meal with WBTP at moderate and high levels in the diet could improve the performance of the fermentation process by increasing the gas production rate constant from the insoluble fraction (p < 0.01). The IVDMD exhibited a higher degree of in vitro degradation after 12 h (h), with the mean value being higher in the high group compared to the medium until the high group (p < 0.05). At the 4 h mark, the groups that substituted corn meal with WBTP exhibited a decrease in pH value (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control group. The substitution of corn meal with WBTP resulted in the lowest protozoal count after 8 h in the median group (p < 0.05). A significant difference in the effect of WBTP on total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration was observed at 8 h after incubation (p < 0.05). The medium and high levels of WBTP replacement resulted in the lowest TVFA concentration at 8 h (p < 0.05). The mean proportion of acetic acid (C2) linearly declined and was lowest when a high level of WBTP replaced cornmeal (p < 0.05). The concentration of propionic acid (C3) at 8 h after incubation and average values were linearly significantly different when various levels of WBTP were utilized. Replacing corn meal with WBTP at a high level showed the highest concentration of C3. Moreover, substituting medium and high concentrations of WBTP for corn meal resulted in a significant reduction in both the C2:C3 ratio at 8 h and the mean value (p < 0.05). In conclusion, WBTP exhibits a nutritional composition that is advantageous and may be an energetic substitute for corn meal.

Objective: The experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing corn meal with winged bean tuber (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) pellets (WBTP) on energy utilization efficiency in Thai indigenous beef cattle.Methods: A 4×4 Latin square design was used, with WBTP replacing corn meal in the concentrate diet as the independent variable. The four replacement levels were 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% dry matter.Results: The intake of nutrients was not affected by replacing cornmeal with WBTP (p>0.05). Substituting WBTP for corn meal did not significantly alter energy utilization (p>0.05). Furthermore, the digestibility of nutrients did not significantly differ across the various WBTP replacement levels. Ruminal pH ranged from 6.73 to 7.04. Blood urea nitrogen values, ranging from 5.50 to 8.75 mg/dL, fell within the typical range for tropical ruminants. No significant differences were observed in total volatile fatty acid concentrations, which ranged from 84.56 to 101.87 mM (p>0.05). Similarly, the proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate remained unchanged (p>0.05), despite the addition of WBTP into the concentrate as a replacement for corn meal.Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of WBTP as a sustainable alternative to corn meal in the diets of Thai-native beef cattle. The study found that replacing corn meal with WBTP at up to 100% had no negative adverse effects on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation parameters, or energy efficiency.

This study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with winged bean tuber (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) fermented using ruminal Candida tropicalis KKU20 on gas kinetics, ruminal fermentation, and degradability using the in vitro gas production technique. A 3 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design was used. Factor A included three roughage-to-concentrate (R:C) ratios: 60:40, 50:50, and 40:60. Factor B consisted of four levels of SBM replacement with yeast-fermented winged bean tuber (YFWBT): 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100%. Fermentation with C. tropicalis KKU20 increased the crude protein content of winged bean tuber by 13.32%. No significant interaction was found between the R:C ratio and YFWBT level for cumulative gas production at 24, 48, or 96 h (p > 0.05). Cumulative gas production at 96 h was not affected by either factor. However, at 24 and 48 h, gas production increased with higher proportions of concentrate (p < 0.05). Both the R:C ratio and YFWBT level significantly influenced pH and ammonia–nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentrations (p < 0.01). After 24 h, NH₃-N ranged from 7.66 to 13.76 mg/dL, rising to 16.44–16.63 mg/dL after 48 h. A significant interaction (p < 0.01) was observed for in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter degradability (IVOMD). Increasing concentrate levels along with YFWBT inclusion improved degradability at both incubation times. The highest IVDMD (64.49%) and IVOMD (65.81%) were recorded at 48 h in the 40:60 R:C ratio with 33% YFWBT. At 48 h, a significant interaction effect (p < 0.05) was also found for total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and propionic acid (C3) concentrations. Total VFA peaked in the 40:60 group with 33% YFWBT (104.31 mM), while the highest C3 concentration (26.22%) was observed in the same R:C group with 66% YFWBT. At 24 h, total VFA was significantly affected by the R:C ratio (p < 0.05), with the lowest values in the 60:40 group and increasing in response to higher concentrate and YFWBT levels. Incorporating YFWBT at 33% in diets with an R:C ratio of 40:60 optimized degradability, indicating its potential as a sustainable alternative to SBM in ruminant nutrition.

Objective: Objective: The study aimed to assess the effect of two yeast strains, Pichia kudriavzevii KKU20 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae , on the ensiling process of rice straw (RS) and its impact on nutritional digestibility, ruminal fermentation, energy utilization, and growth performance of Thai native bulls. Methods: Eight Thai native bulls were randomly assigned to two groups: One group was fed RS ensiled with Pichia kudriavzevii KKU20 ( n = 4), and the other group was fed RS ensiled with Saccharomyces cerevisiae ( n = 4). The experiment included an 18‐day adaptation period followed by a 60‐day feeding period. The bulls received a concentrate diet formulated to meet their protein requirements. Results: No significant differences ( p > 0.05) were observed between the groups in terms of daily concentrate intake, roughage intake, overall intake, average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Similarly, ruminal parameters showed no significant differences between the two yeast treatments, including ruminal pH, ammonia concentration, blood urea nitrogen levels, total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs), and protozoal populations. Energy efficiency and nitrogen efficiency were also unaffected by the yeast strain used ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: Although no significant differences were found, Pichia kudriavzevii KKU20, a rumen‐derived yeast strain, demonstrated comparable potential to Saccharomyces cerevisiae , a widely used commercial yeast with known efficacy. This suggests that P. kudriavzevii KKU20 could be a promising alternative for ruminant nutrition.