Vol. 10, Issue 4, Part E (2025)

Author(s): D Santhiya, G Vaishnavi, S Gobika, M Pradeep, S Senthilkumar, N Bharathy, PC Sakthivel and P Vasanthakumar

Abstract: Rumen fermentation plays a vital role for ruminant digestion, powered by microorganisms that break down nutrients. However, inefficiencies can lead to energy loss as methane, a significant greenhouse gas. Manipulating rumen fermentation is key to improving productivity of ruminants, particularly in tropical and developing regions relying on low-quality forages. Genetic and non-genetic strategies include enhancing fibrolytic activity, microbial protein synthesis, reducing methanogenesis and mitigating anti-nutritional factors using beneficial microbes, dietary changes and feed additives like probiotics and ionophores. Optimizing rumen fermentation improves microbial efficiency, fermentation dynamics and animal performance addressing major challenges in animal agriculture.