Seasonal changes in the nutritive value of grass species in Spinifex pastures of Western Australia.

1988 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Holm ◽  
RJ Allen
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
The Common ◽  
Exmouth Gulf

This study was undertaken to assess whether the nutritional quality of spinifex pasture lands is improved by buming to promote the growth of grasses other than spinifex. We selected two comparable sites in the Exmouth Gulf region of Western Australia; one had been bumt in late 1979 and the other had not been burnt for many years. On these sites we sampled the five grass species present, as well as Triodia pungens (soft spinifex) and Plectrachne >chinzii (Oat eared spinifex) on 10 occasions from March 1980 to April 1982. Plant parts were analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur content, and in vitro digestibility. None of the common grass species tested was more nutritious or more palatable than soft spinifex. It seems that little is gained from manipulating spinifex pastures through burning if the aim is to encourage alternative grass species. There is a need however for further studies into the importance of woody herbs and forbs in the nutrition of grazing animals on spinifex country and the effect of fire on these species.

Seasonal changes in the proportion and quality of plant parts of nine Stylosanthes lines

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (119) ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
CJ Gardener ◽  
RG Megarrity ◽  
MN McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Similar Chemical ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

The distribution of dry matter between leaves, stems and inflorescences, and the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur concentration and in vitro digestibility of these parts were measured in uncut swards of nine accessions of seven Stylosanthes spp. grown in northern Queensland over 22 months. Despite above average rainfall in both dry seasons, which greatly reduced the normal moisture stress, only S. guianensis cv. Oxley retained a significant proportion of green leaf in the winter period. However, Oxley set little seed in either year. Plants of the three short-lived species S. hamata, S. humilis and S. subsericea died back to the crown at the end of each wet season, while adult plants of the strongly perennial shrubs S. viscosa, S. scabra and S. fruticosa shed most of their leaves by July. All accessions flowered in both years, and all, except Oxley, set a heavy seed crop by the second year. Some inflorescence was retained on the living stems of the perennial lines until October. This inflorescence had a nutritive value only just below that of young leaf, while the mature stem was low in nitrogen and digestibility in all accessions. The leaf and stem litter had a similar chemical composition to standing material but rapidly became mouldy. The two cultivars of S. humilis, Paterson and Gordon, and S. subsericea had significantly higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and digestibility than the other accessions. S. viscosa had significantly lower levels of all four attributes. The utilization of the various accessions for improving cattle nutrition is discussed.

Correction - Seasonal changes in the proportion and quality of plant parts of nine Stylosanthes lines

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (119) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJ Gardener ◽  
RG Megarrity ◽  
MN McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Similar Chemical ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

The distribution of dry matter between leaves, stems and inflorescences, and the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur concentration and in vitro digestibility of these parts were measured in uncut swards of nine accessions of seven Stylosanthes spp. grown in northern Queensland over 22 months. Despite above average rainfall in both dry seasons, which greatly reduced the normal moisture stress, only S. guianensis cv. Oxley retained a significant proportion of green leaf in the winter period. However, Oxley set little seed in either year. Plants of the three short-lived species S. hamata, S. humilis and S. subsericea died back to the crown at the end of each wet season, while adult plants of the strongly perennial shrubs S. viscosa, S. scabra and S. fruticosa shed most of their leaves by July. All accessions flowered in both years, and all, except Oxley, set a heavy seed crop by the second year. Some inflorescence was retained on the living stems of the perennial lines until October. This inflorescence had a nutritive value only just below that of young leaf, while the mature stem was low in nitrogen and digestibility in all accessions. The leaf and stem litter had a similar chemical composition to standing material but rapidly became mouldy. The two cultivars of S. humilis, Paterson and Gordon, and S. subsericea had significantly higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and digestibility than the other accessions. S. viscosa had significantly lower levels of all four attributes. The utilization of the various accessions for improving cattle nutrition is discussed.

THE IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF LEAF AND STEM PORTIONS OF FORAGES

1965 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. Mowat ◽  
R. S. Fulkerson ◽  
W. E. Tossell ◽  
J. E. Winch
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Rate Of Decline

The in vitro dry matter digestibility (I.V.D.) of the immature stems of timothy, orchardgrass, and bromegrass was higher than that of the leaves. However the rate of decline of digestibility with advancing maturity was greater with stems. At head emergence the I.V.D. of the leaves of orchardgrass was similar to that of the stems. Wide differences existed, though, in the I.V.D. of leaf and stem fractions of orchardgrass at more advanced stages of growth. Digestibilities of the plant parts of both timothy and bromegrass were not greatly different at any growth stage.The digestibility of leaves of alfalfa decreased only slightly as the season progressed. However, the I.V.D. of the stems declined rapidly early in the season. Unlike the grasses, the stems of alfalfa never attained as high a digestibility as the leaves at the early growth stages.The crude protein content of both leaf and stem portions of the various grass species was similar.As the season progressed, orchardgrass had the highest leaf to stem ratio and bromegrass the lowest. Even within a species, leaf content was a rather poor indicator of digestibility.

Influence of sward characteristics on grazing behaviour and growth of Hereford steers grazing tropical grass pastures

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
EA Chacon ◽  
TH Stobbs ◽  
MB Dale
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Bite Size ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Digitaria Decumbens ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

Relationships between sward characteristics, grazing behaviour and growth of Hereford steers were studied on nitrogen-fertilized (378 kg ha-1 yr-1) Setaria anceps cv. Nandi and Digitaria decumbens swards continuously stocked at 4.3, 6.2 and 8.0 beasts ha-1 during five periods over 2 years. Availability of herbage, as measured by bite size, and nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility of herbage in the top of the swards were the two most important factors influencing the performance of steers. The relative importance of these factors varied between seasons, between stocking rate treatments and to a lesser extent between pasture species. The highest growth rates were measured on the leniently stocked pastures because steers were able to harvest feed easily (a large bite size) and could more readily select the more nutritious plant parts from the top of the sward. The swards were highly heterogeneous, and numerical analysis of data showed that at the same herbage yield, spatial distribution of herbage (leaf bulk density and leaf to stem ratio) and the nutritive value (in vitro digestibility and nitrogen content) of herbage greatly influenced the growth of steers. Cattle were unable to satisfy their feed requirements on some high quality but low-yielding swards, despite increasing grazing time to compensate for the small bites prehended (up to 707 min in 24 hr in spring). Consequently nitrogen and digestibility contents of extrusa samples were at times poor indicators of performance.

The Use of NIR in Predicting Nutritive Value of Mediterranean Tree and Shrub Foliage

1993 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Meuret ◽  
P. Dardenne ◽  
R. Biston ◽  
O. Poty
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Standard Errors ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Spectral Variation ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Pls Regression ◽  
Quercus Pubescens ◽  
Plant Parts

To upgrade grazing management recommendations in the Mediterranean area, one needs to assess the nutritive value of woody foliages including their changes over time and with location. Using a wide range of native and cultivated foliages, our objective was to evaluate the potential of near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy to determine foliage chemistry and in vitro digestibility for ruminants. The samples, representative of small ruminant eating bites, were divided into the different plant parts. Samples were carefully conditioned, being air-dried at 60°C; drying times were individually varied to ensure complete dehydration without excessive heating. Samples were analysed for organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and in vitro digestibility with a pepsin–cellulase method developed for forages (IVDMD). NIR scans were made with an NIRSystems 5000 instrument and data analysis was performed using ISI software. Partial least squares (PLS) regression equations were developed for IVDMD and each constituent. Nine mathematical treatments, with and without scatter correction, were compared. The database of woody foliage spectra and a reference fodder database were compared in two ways: the first involved a comparison of the spectral variation in each collection while the second measured the Mahalanobis distance of each spectrum in one database from the average spectrum in the other. In the case of N, a broad-based calibration was compared with others derived from various sample sub-sets; these latter were formed either according to sample type or following a proximity analysis of five spectral groups by principal component analysis. NIR predictions of IVDMD were applied to describe the effect of phenological changes in the edible parts of Quercus pubescens Willd. The foliage base is very heterogeneous and wider than the reference fodder base. The fodder base variation does not include the foliage samples. The lowest standard errors of calibration (SEC) and cross-validation (SECV) are comparable to literature results on forest leaves, but better for lignin (SECV of 1.5 compared to SEC values of 2.5–2.9). SECV for IVDMD is satisfactory at almost 2.0 because this value is similar to precision data normally reported for in vitro digestibility estimations on narrower sample sets than the current one. The broad-based calibration for N gave similar or lower standard errors to those obtained using sample sub-sets. One can show that IVDMD values for Quercus pubescens leaves decrease from 65 to 15% with increasing maturity; leaf IVDMD values are approximately 15% higher than the previous year's stem value from May until October. NIR spectroscopy appears to be an adequate technique for the prediction of the nutritive value of Mediterranean foliages from trees and shrubs, with a reliability similar to that obtained from classical fodder analysis procedures. This study shows that broad-based calibrations with PLS regression could be made on extremely diverse sets of data (IVDMD ranging from 28 to 94%), grouping distinct edible plant parts within the same data base.

Morphological, environmental and management factors affecting nutritive value of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum)

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Insua ◽  
M. G. Agnusdei ◽  
S. A. Utsumi ◽  
G. D. Berone
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Leaf Age ◽  
Tube Length ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Lolium Arundinaceum ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Leaf Appearance

The aim of this study was to quantify the relative importance of leaf age and leaf length on the dynamics of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and 24-h in vitro digestibility of NDF (NDFD) and dry matter (DMD) of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb) Darbysh.). Mini-swards were conditioned and used to conduct two experiments, the first with 4-cm plant stubble height in spring–summer 2009 and autumn–winter 2011, and the second with 4-cm or 10-cm plant stubble height in spring–summer 2011. Plants were harvested at consecutive leaf-appearance intervals to measure nutritive value up to the four-leaf stage. In parallel, leaf morphogenetic traits (appearance, elongation and lifespan) and sheath length of the successive leaves produced on marked tillers were measured. Leaf NDF contents remained stable with increasing leaf age and length but showed a marked variation across seasons. Leaf NDFD and DMD showed a consistent decrease with increasing leaf age and length, and irrespective of growing season or residual pasture height. The negative effect of leaf age and length on digestibility was related to variations in sheath tube length and associated differences in leaf appearance and elongation rates. These findings highlight the relevance of monitoring the sheath tube length as a complementary measure to leaf stage for further management of the NDFD and DMD of grass forages. Although the focus of this study was tall fescue swards, the same morphogenetic implications on forage nutritive value could apply to other temperate and tropical grass species; however, the testing of this hypothesis warrants carefully controlled investigations.

Nutritive value for lactating dairy cows of the pressed herbage remaining after the partial extraction of leaf juice

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (111) ◽  
pp. 376 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR Stockdale ◽  
KR King ◽  
DR McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Protein Extraction ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Partial Extraction

A series of six experiments compared the production of lactating dairy cows eating either fresh herbage or the pressed herbage remaining after the partial extraction of juice. Irrigated perennial pasture and irrigated lucerne (Medicago sativa) were used in different experiments. With forage-harvested pasture, extraction removed an average of 42.1 g of protein per kg dry matter (DM) of pasture processed. An average of 85% of the DM of the original fresh pasture was left as pressed pasture. The process lowered the in vitro digestibility, total nitrogen, and cell contents of the herbage, and raised the cell wall constituents. It also reduced herbage phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sodium, but increased herbage calcium slightly. The milk yield of cows fed an equivalent DM intake of pressed residue was, on average, 6% lower than the milk yield of cows fed fresh pasture. The responses shown by the milk constituents were inconsistent. With lucerne, extraction removed an average of 95.9 g of protein from each kg of fresh herbage and an average of 74% of the lucerne was left as pressed lucerne. This reduced the quality of the pressed residue as determined by in vitro digestibility (5%), Kjeldahl nitrogen (19%) and neutral detergent fibre (27%). However, there was no significant loss of production for cows on the pressed herbage, although there were small differences. It is concluded that lucerne would appear to have the greater potential for a leaf protein extraction industry in the irrigated areas of the Goulburn Valley of Victoria.

The use of faecal Δ13C values to improve the reliability of estimates of diet quality when sampling tropical pastures with oesophageal fistulated cattle

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Coates
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Tropical Pastures ◽  
Δ13c Values ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Aluminium Copper ◽  
Apparent Relationship

Summary. The nutritive value of extrusa samples collected from oesophageal fistulated cattle can be an unreliable indicator of the quality of the diet of resident cattle grazing the same pasture. This is largely because the botanical composition of the extrusa from 15–30 min of grazing may differ from that of the whole diet of the resident cattle. A methodology is described whereby the reliability of some attributes of diet quality can be improved by correcting for differences between the C3/C4 proportions of extrusa samples and the dietary C3/C4 proportions of resident cattle derived from their faecal δ13C values. Examples from 23 paddock samplings covering 2 sites, 3 experiments and 6 sampling occasions, are used to illustrate the application of the methodology. Carbon ratios (δ13C) of the naturally occurring isotopes 12C and 13C were used as an index of legume (C3)/grass (C4) proportions in extrusa samples and in the diet of resident cattle assuming dietary δ13C = faecal δ13C + 1. Regression relationships were developed relating the nitrogen, mineral and digestibility levels of extrusa samples to extrusa δ13C values. Where appropriate, these relationships were then used to estimate the level of these attributes in the diet of resident cattle from their estimated dietary δ13C values. Nitrogen and calcium concentrations in extrusa were usually closely related to legume content (δ13C) so that adjustments were considered very advantageous with average RSDs of 0.08 and 0.09% for calcium and nitrogen respectively. Boron and sulfur concentrations were also related to legume content but only at 1 of 2 sites. There was no apparent relationship between legume content and the concentrations of aluminium, copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium, titanium and zinc at either site. In general, in vitro digestibility of extrusa samples was poorly related to legume content. The use of alkane technology is suggested as a more versatile alternative to the carbon ratio technique and the benefits and limitations of the proposed methodology are discussed briefly.

scholarly journals Forage potential and silage quality of four varieties of saccharine sorghum

2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1201-1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Previdelli Orrico Junior ◽  
Marciana Retore ◽  
Débora Maurício Manarelli ◽  
Fernanda Barboza de Souza ◽  
Luana Liz Medina Ledesma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Morphological Composition ◽  
Fermentation Quality

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate four cultivars of saccharine sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) regarding productivity, chemical composition of plant parts, and quality of the ensiling process. The tested varieties of saccharine sorghum were BRS 506, BRS 508, BRS 509, and BRS 511. The experiment was divided into two trials, which assessed: production, morphological composition, and nutritional quality of the saccharine varieties; and fermentation quality and nutritional value of the silage produced from the saccharine varieties. Of the tested varieties, BRS 509 and BRS 511 showed the highest total dry matter (DM) production. The BRS 508 variety presented the highest in vitro digestibility of the whole plant (70.65% DM). During ensiling, the BRS 509 variety showed the lowest DM loss (8.87%). The highest effluent production was observed for BRS 506 and BRS 508, with yields of 521.87 and 393.16 kg Mg-1 ensiled DM, respectively. The BRS 511 variety is the most recommended because of the best results for plant production and nutritional quality. Regarding the ensiling process, BRS 509 presents the lowest fermentation losses and the highest nutritional value of silage.

scholarly journals Temporal Variations in Chemical Composition, In Vitro Digestibility, and Metabolizable Energy of Plant Species Browsed by Goats in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1441
Author(s):  
Youssef Chebli ◽  
Samira El Otmani ◽  
Mouad Chentouf ◽  
Jean-Luc Hornick ◽  
Jean-François Cabaraux
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Condensed Tannin ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Mediterranean Forest ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Southern Mediterranean

Forest rangelands contribute largely to goat diets in the Mediterranean area. Information about browsed plant quality is essential for adequate feeding management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal changes in chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the main plant species selected by goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland during two consecutive years; these were very contrasted (dry and wet). The browsed species were composed of herbaceous, eleven shrubs, and four tree species. Overall, large variability in chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME) was observed among species, grazing season (spring, summer, and autumn), and years within each species. Crude protein (CP) content varied from 60 to 240 g/kg dry matter (DM). The fiber fractions, except for Quercus suber, increased significantly by advancing maturity. Due to the water stress, the lignin level presented a higher value during the spring of the dry year. Condensed tannin (CT) content varied from 2 to 184 g/kg DM. CP, IVOMD, and ME showed a negative correlation with lignin and CT. Based on the results presented herein, it is concluded that the nutritive value of the browsed plant species was highest in the spring and lowest during the summer and autumn of both studied years. With a good grazing management strategy, the selected plant species by goats could guarantee high-quality feeding resources throughout the year.

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