Jacobo Arango

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research | CGIAR · International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)

Grasslands are among the most important ecosystems for human livelihoods. Besides their irreplaceable role in human food production, grasslands provide a wide range of ecosystem services at different scales. Earthworms, being soil ecosystem engineers, can play a key role in affecting the capacity of grassland soils to provide ecosystem services. Ea...

Dairy farms in developing countries are key to fighting hunger and poverty. However, their environmental and economic impact in the tropical region of Peru has been scarcely studied. The CLEANED tool, developed by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, allows us to assess the productive situa...

Cattle farming accounts for approximately 15% of Colombia’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). Silvopastoral systems (SPS) and improved pastures (IP) are recognized as effective strategies for transforming dairy systems by enhancing cattle productivity, reducing climate change impact, and increasing farm profitability. This study aims to (i) calculat...

The aim of this research was to evaluate dietary inclusion of Leucaena diversifolia into a grass monoculture (GM) diet and its influence on enteric methane emissions, animal live weight gain and meat fatty acid content of steers. Two GM diets comprised Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman or U. brizantha cv. Toledo; silvopastoral (SPS) mixed diets included a...

We aimed to evaluate the effect of different types and rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on plant biomass production, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of six tropical forage grass cultivars. This field study was conducted in Colombia under tropical conditions in two phases. Phase 1: we evaluated the effect of differe...

Introducción: En Cenchrus purpureus podemos encontrar la propagación vía sexual o asexual. Aún no se ha descrito la presencia de apomixis en esta especie, pero esta característica ya se ha identificado en especies del género Cenchrus. Por lo que el objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el tipo de reproducción en accesiones de C. purpureus me...

Introduction: There are several methods of DNA extraction, however, the correct selection and standardization of the protocol to be used can guarantee quality DNA and adequate amplification of the sequences. The present work aims to standardize the protocol for the extraction of CTAB genomic DNA from dried leaf tissue of Cenchrus purpureus. Materia...

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) supplementation on enteric methane (CH4) emissions, carbon footprint, and production parameters in dairy cows. Daily concentrate supply for Jersey and Jersey * Holstein breeds was evaluated in four treatments (T): T1: 100% commercial concentrate; T2: 70...

Introduction: Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) is defined as the plant-mediated control of soil nitrification via the release of nitrification inhibitors. BNI of Brachiaria humidicola (syn. Urochloa humidicola) has been mainly attributed to root-exuded fusicoccane-type diterpenes, e.g., 3-epi-brachialactone. We hypothesized, however, that...

Cattle ranching is a productive activity that generates high amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), but can also provide effective alternatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Within the livestock sector, silvopastoral systems (SPS) have the capacity to reduce GHG emissions, i...

The evolution of this research has significantly enriched both my theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Moreover, it has paved the way for the inception of the ongoing study, which holds paramount significance in establishing the groundwork for assessing SOC accumulation and its intricate connections with diverse pasture species and soil vari...

Stylo ( Stylosanthes guianensis ) is a tropical legume known for its exceptional tolerance to low phosphate (Pi), a trait believed to be linked to its high acid phosphatase (APase) activity. Previous studies have observed genotypic variations in APase activity in stylo; however, the gene encoding the crucial APase responsible for this variation rem...

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides the reference for national greenhouse gas emission (GHG) inventories towards standardized, accurate, measurable, and comparable National Inventory Reports (NIR). For compliance with the 1.5⁰C commitments under the Paris Agreement, most countries have made efforts to improve their invento...

Simulation models represent a low-cost approach to evaluating agricultural systems. In the current study, the precision and accuracy of the RUMINANT model to predict dry matter intake (DMI) and methane emissions from beef cattle fed tropical diets (characteristic of Colombia) was assessed. Feed intake (DMI) and methane emissions were measured in Br...

On-farm methane (CH4) emissions need to be estimated accurately so that the mitigation effect of recommended practices can be accounted for. In the present study prediction equations for enteric CH4 have been developed in lieu of expensive animal measurement approaches. Our objectives were to: (1) compile a dataset from individual beef cattle data...

Grassland pastures are crucial for the global food supply through their milk and meat production; hence, forage species monitoring is essential for cattle feed. Therefore, knowledge of pasture above-ground canopy features help understand the crop status. This paper finds how to construct machine learning models to predict above-ground canopy featur...

Insufficient schooling rates among livestock producing families are pivotal in preventing an effective generational transfer and gender and social equality in Colombia's rural settings. Concurrently, low literacy rates are now understood as a critical factor hindering the livestock sector's productivity and sustainability. Even though several acade...

Background: Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria) is a genus of tropical grasses sown as forage feedstock, particularly in marginal soils. We aimed to clarify the genetic diversity and population structure in Urochloa species to understand better how population evolution relates to ploidy level and occurrence of apomictic reproduction. Methods: We explored...

Improving grassland conditions under grazing has the potential not only to accumulate carbon in soils, but also to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from animal urine deposition. However, measurements in developing countries are still scarce. In the Orinoquia region, permanent grasslands (PG; this unimproved, native pasture is considered as at s...

In the low fertility acid soils of the Orinoquian savannas of Colombia, Urochloa humi-dicola cv. Tully or Humidicola is one of the most widely planted tropical forage grasses for improving livestock productivity. Low nutritional quality of this grass limits sustainable livestock production in this region. In this study, we conducted a phenotypic ev...

In this study, the effects of orange essential oil (OEO) on the rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and methane (CH4) emissions of beef heifers fed a diet of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) were examined. In addition, in vitro and in situ experiments were conducted. The in vitro experiment consisted of three treatments: control (CTL, no OEO),...

The contribution of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ruminant production systems varies between countries and between regions within individual countries. The appropriate quantification of GHG emissions, specifically methane (CH4), has raised questions about the correct reporting of GHG inventories and, perhaps more importantly, how best to miti...

in vitro study was carried out to measure methane (CH4) production and ruminal fermentation parameters of tropical forages either commonly used and with a potential for inclusion in Colombian livestock systems. The forages evaluated wereUrochloa hybrid cv. Cayman, Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena diversifolia, Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaza, Urochl...

The capacity of several plant species or landraces to inhibit nitrification in soil (biological nitrification inhibition, BNI) has been assessed in certain tropical pastures. These assessments are commonly based on potential net nitrification rates, which do not differentiate between gross nitrification and other processes that may reduce the amoun...

Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) has been considered a plant strategy to increase N use efficiency by reducing N losses via N2O emissions or nitrate leaching. However, recent studies have revealed no difference in gross nitrate production among Urochloa humidicola genotypes with previously described high- and low-BNI capacity and pointed t...

This study evaluates the effects of the inclusion of two different Leucaena species as a source of condensed tannins based on in vitro fermentation, methane production and post-ruminal protein supply in a diet based on Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman CIAT BR02/1752 grass. Under in vitro conditions, Leucaena leucocephala CIAT 17263 and Leucaena diversifo...

Grazing-based production systems are a source of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions triggered by excreta depositions. The adoption of Urochloa forages (formerly known as Brachiaria) with biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) capacity is a promising alternative to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from excreta patches. However, how this fora...

CONTEXT Colombia has a total of 27.2 million heads of cattle, ranking fourth among the Latin American countries. Identifying sustainable strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) will help the Colombian government meet their goal of a 51% reduction in national emissions by 2030. Estimation of yield gaps for identifying the potential to...

Enteric methane (CH4) emitted by ruminant species is known as one of the main greenhouse gases produced by the agricultural sector. The objective of this study was to assess the potential the potential for CH4 mitigation and additionally the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, dry matter degradation (DMD), digestibility and CO2 productio...

Este informe ofrece una descripción general de los estudios de consumidores realizados para el sector de la carne de res en Colombia, los cuales han contribuido a informar a las partes interesadas sobre los productos diferenciados y los sobre precios de los mismos. Se incluyeron análisis de cambios en las preferencias del consumidor durante la pand...

The brief gives an overview on consumer studies conducted for the beef sector in Colombia that have helped inform stakeholders on the possibilities of product differentiation and price premiums. This includes analysis of changes in consumer preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic and how these changes might affect product differentiation efforts....

Highly digestible forages are associated with an in vitro low-methane (CH4) rumen fermentation profile and thus the possibility of reducing CH4 emissions from forage-based systems. We aimed to assess the in vitro ruminal fermentation profile, including CH4 production, of the top stratum of Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus - Hochst. ex Chiov) har...

Brachiaria humidicola (syn. Urochloa humidicola) has been acknowledged to control soil nitrification through release of nitrification inhibitors (NI), a phenomenon conceptualized as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). Liming and N fertilization as features of agricultural intensification may suppress BNI performance, due to a decrease in NI...

Livestock are critical for incomes, livelihoods, nutrition and ecosystems management throughout the global South. Livestock production and the consumption of livestock-based foods such as meat, cheese, and milk is, however, under global scrutiny for its contribution to global warming, deforestation, biodiversity loss, water use, pollution, and land...

Improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency by optimizing the N fertilizer application dose is one way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agriculture and livestock production, especially in higher demanding crops such as corn. Taking a Brachiaria humidicola (Bh)-corn rotation system in the Colombian Eastern Plains, we seek to determine both the...

Livestock production in the global south is at crossroads as there is a demand to increase Animal Source Foods to address hunger and add pressure to the environmental footprint often associated with livestock production. To satisfy both needs, the use of technologies that improve animal performance, while reducing land use and net Greenhouse Gas em...

Livestock production in the global south is at crossroads as there is a demand to increase Animal Source Foods to address hunger and add pressure to the environmental footprint often associated with livestock production. To satisfy both needs, the use of technologies that improve animal performance, while reducing land use and net Greenhouse Gas em...

Grasslands can play a crucial role in mitigation of global warming by serving as carbon sink. Nevertheless, to achieve the grasslands' potential, sustainable management is of the utmost importance as it determines system's productivity and ecosystem services. Due to the increasing demand for animal products in developing countries, grazed areas inc...

Background Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth that participates in a series of biological processes. Thus, P deficiency limits crop growth and yield. Although Stylosanthes guianensis (stylo) is an important tropical legume that displays adaptation to low phosphate (Pi) availability, its adaptive mechanisms remain largely...

Enteric methane (CH4) emitted by ruminant species is known as one of the main greenhouse gases produced by the agricultural sector. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, dry matter degradation (DMD), digestibility, CO2 production and CH4 mitigation potential of five tropical tree species with...

Nitrogen use in agriculture directly impacts food security, global warming, and environmental degradation. Forage grasses intercropped with maize produce feed for animals and or mulch for no-till systems. Forage grasses may exude nitrification inhibitors. It was hypothesized that brachiaria intercropping increases N recycling and maize grain yield...

Maize-forage grasses intercropping systems have been increasingly adopted by farmers because of their capacity to recycle nutrients, provide mulch, and add C to soil. However, grasses have been shown to increase nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Some tropical grasses cause biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) which could mitigate N2O emissions in...

The effect of the inclusion of Leucaena leucocephala and Tithonia diversifolia in Zebu steers receiving a diet based on improved pastures such as Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria hybrid cv Cayman on nitrogen (N) excretion, urinary volume and rumen microbial population was evaluated. To determine the dry matter intake and nutrient excretion, eigh...

Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) is a developing region characterized for its importance for global food security, producing 23 and 11% of the global beef and milk production, respectively. The region's ruminant livestock sector however, is under scrutiny on environmental grounds due to its large contribution to enteric methane (CH4) emissions and...

Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) is a shrub used for animal feed that has outstanding agronomic and chemical characteristics. Its potential to modify the dynamics of fermentation and improve the supply of nutrients to ruminants has received considerable attention. This study was designed to determine the effect of different genotypes of T....

Background and Aims: Urochola (syn. Brachiaria, and including some Panicum and Megathyrus) is a genus of tropical and subtropical grasses widely sown as forage to feed ruminants in the tropics. A better understanding of the diversity among Urochola spp. allow us to leverage its varying ploidy levels and genome composition to accelerate its improvem...

Rice root exudates can control nitrification by releasing biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs), reducing nitrogen losses in agricultural soils. However, the inhibitory effect on nitrification and the abundance of ammonia oxidisers in different soil types remain unclear. Two temperate paddy soils with different organic matter contents were col...

In Colombia, the beef production chain accounts for approximately 11.6 million cattle heads and annually produces 933 million kg of the beef carcass. There are no life cycle assessment (LCA) studies that have evaluated the environmental performance of Colombian beef systems. The present study aimed to estimate the carbon footprint (CF), non-renewab...

Forage grass nutritional quality directly affects animal feed intake, productivity, and enteric methane (CH 4 ) emissions. This study evaluated the nutritional quality, in vitro enteric CH 4 emission potential, and optimization of diets based on two widely grown tropical forage grasses either alone or mixed with legumes. The grasses Urochloa hybrid...

The increase in human population and the concomitant rise in demand for animal protein have contributed to augment enteric methane emissions. It is imperative to reduce methane, increase sustainable production, avoid the use of chemical compounds, and guarantee quality products for the consumer. Chitosan and naringin possess antimicrobial propertie...

Agronomic, nutritional, and environmental aspects are integrated to promote sustainable tropical grassland production. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) is a plant-based strategy to improve nitrogen use efficiency by grasses in which they suppress the pace of soil nitrification via exudation of inhibitory compounds. To evaluate the effect o...

Brachiaria (Trin.) Griseb. (syn. Urochloa P. Beauv.) is a C4 grass genus belonging to the Panicoideae. Native to Africa, these grasses are now widely grown as forages in tropical areas worldwide and are the subject of intensive breeding, particularly in South America. Tolerance to abiotic stresses such as aluminum and drought are major breeding obj...

Large-scale conversion of natural ecosystems to grazed grasslands and subsequent soil degradation due to overgrazing and inadequate pasture management in tropical agroecosystems urgently call for sustainable intensification of grazing systems, i.e. increasing animal productivity while maintaining or improving soil quality and ecosystem services. We...

This policy brief presents the analysis of the governance of Livestock NAMAs (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions) of nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and brings guidelines for sustainable livestock NAMA governance schemes.

Esta síntesis de política presenta el análisis de la gobernanza de las NAMA (Acciones de Mitigación Nacionalmente Apropiadas) de nueve países de América Latina y el Caribe, y propone lineamientos para el desarrollo de esquemas de gobernanza sostenible en NAMA ganaderas.

Enteric methane (CH4) emission from ruminant livestock is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases from the agricultural sector worldwide. In tropical regions there is a wide variety of forage species that have the capacity to improve cattle diets and reduce enteric CH4 emissions. A screening trial was conducted to investigate the nutrient and p...

Pasture conditions influence the nutrients use efficiency and nitrogen (N) losses from deposited excreta. Part of the N is lost as nitrous oxide (N 2 O), a potent greenhouse gas. The objective of this study was to characterize apparent N recovery in milk of dual-purpose cattle and to quantify N 2 O emissions from the urine they deposit following gr...

This info note summarizes the objectives, scope, and intervention logic of the livestock component of the PDET Routes project, which is implemented in four municipalities in Caquetá. The conditions that converge there, such as the high and growing rate of deforestation, environmental impacts, productive orientation, and types of land tenure, enable...

Increases in pig farm densities have caused great pressures on waste management systems and produce massive manure and urine quantities in Vietnam. This study aimed to identify the role and contributions of biogas digesters to better manage the sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from pig wastes for different types of pig farms in the north o...

Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) of Brachiaria humidicola has been attributed to nitrification‐inhibiting fusicoccanes, most prominently 3‐epi‐brachialactone. However, its release mechanism from B. humidicola roots remains elusive. Two hydroponic experiments were performed to investigate the role of rhizosphere pH and nutritional N form in...