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

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.

1965 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 503-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. Mowat ◽  
B. R. Christie ◽  
J. E. Winch

The in vitro dry matter digestibility (I.V.D.) of the stem and total leaf fractions of four orchardgrass clones was similar at the preheading stage. Even at 100% head emergence, differences in I.V.D. between stems and living leaves were not great with the early-maturing clones. However, wide differences existed between the values for stems and living leaves in mature plants. Heads were only slightly higher than stems in digestibility.Leaf digestibility was lower for those leaves dead or even partially dead. Nevertheless, in mature plants, dead leaves were higher in I.V.D. than heads or stems. Large differences occurred among clones in stem digestibility. However, the variability among clones in leaf digestibility was small.


1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 807-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. FULKERSON

Midas marrowstem kale (Brassica oleracea L.) was grown in different row width associations with United 106 corn (Zea maize L.) in two studies and ensiled in different moisture blends with corn stover in another. Highest dry matter yields were obtained where a single row of kale was grown at 30 cm to the side of a corn row. This combination also provided the lowest moisture content feed and the highest in vitro digestibility and crude protein content. Changing the corn row width had no significant effect upon yield, plant height, in vitro digestibility, kale leaf or corn ear content. Blending kale with corn stover to provide a silage of about 70% moisture increased the digestibility and protein content of the feed and provided a silage that kept well in storage.


1967 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Smoliak ◽  
L. M. Bezeau

Five native grasses and one sedge of the Stipa-Bouteloua prairie, three introduced grasses collected at five stages of growth, and four shrubby species collected at three stages of growth were analyzed for proximate chemical constituents.The amounts of phosphorus and digestible and crude protein of all species decreased with maturity, while the cellulose increased. Introduced grasses generally contained more crude protein than native grasses. Shrubby species were higher in crude protein and phosphorus than native grasses. No consistent trend was observed in relative total ash and calcium content at progressive stages of development. The estimated nutritive value index was high for all grasses and low for two Artemisia species. The seasonal declines in crude protein and phosphorus suggest that protein and phosphorus supplements are desirable for range cattle during the fall, winter, and early spring.


1988 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Holm ◽  
RJ Allen

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.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 955-962 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. ST-PIERRE ◽  
G. PELLETIER

An experiment was set up to determine the effect of time and rate of nitrogen fertilization and stage of growth at first cut on yield and digestibility of dry matter and protein content of two timothy (Phleum pratense L.) cultivars, at each of two cuts, No difference in yield or chemical composition was found between cultivars. Highest yields and crude protein contents were measured at rates of nitrogen fertilizer of 112 and 224 kg/ha. Higher yield and protein content were obtained with NH4NO3 applied totally or in split applications in the spring than with urea in the fall. Dry matter digestibility (DDM) was not affected by nitrogen at rates of 56, 112 and 224 kg/ha. First cut was taken at two different stages of growth, and the second cut was taken on the same day in all the plots. At anthesis, yields were higher than at the head stage but DDM and protein content were lower. The opposite was found at the second cut. Except in 1973, total dry matter yield was not affected by the stage of growth at first cut.


1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Doohan ◽  
Gilles Belanger ◽  
Russ R. King ◽  
Jerry A. Ivany

Fluazifop-P, applied in the spring or fall and pronamide, applied in the fall only, reduced quackgrass infestation in established alfalfa and increased the dry matter yield of alfalfa. Herbicides did not improve alfalfa in vitro digestibility or crude protein content. Average residues of fluazifop-P in alfalfa treated with rates of 0.25 or 0.5 kg ai ha–1, were 0.1 mg kg–1when harvested 280 d after application, and 0.06 mg kg–1when harvested 295 d after application. Average residues in alfalfa harvested 41 and 55 d after application were 0.13 mg kg–1and 0.1 mg kg–1, respectively, with a 0.25 kg ha–1treatment and 0.19 mg kg–1and 0.05 mg kg–1, respectively, with a 0.5 kg ha–1treatment.


1971 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Haggar ◽  
M. B. Ahmed

SummaryThe crude protein content and in vitro dry-matter digestibility (I.V.D.) of leaves and stems of Andropogon gayanus, grouped into four different age categories, were measured at weekly intervals during the secondhalf of the 1968 wet season. The crude protein content of all categories of leaf and stem rose to a maximumat ear emergence; significant reductions occurred thereafter, especiallyin the younger categories of leaf and stem. At any point in time the younger leaves and stems contained significantly more crude protein than the older leaves and stems.Although the mean crude protein content of each stem category was significantly lower than the corresponding leaf category, the young, elongating stems had a significantly higher crude protein content than the older, mature leaves at the time of ear emergence.The mean I.V.D. of all leaf and stem categories was highest at the start of the recording period. At ear emergence the I.V.D. of the young elongating stems was at least as high as the mature leaves. After ear emergence the I.V.D. of the stems fell more rapidly than the leaves.The results support the principle of cutting at ear emergence to achieve maximum yields of digestible nutrients.


1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
RH Slarke ◽  
WK Mason

At Kyabram, Victoria, the effects of growth stage at cutting on dry matter (DM) yield and quality of lucerne was determined during the warm season haymaking period for cultivars with contrasting winter dormancy characteristics. Growth stages at cutting were pre-flower bud, flower-bud, 10% bloom and full bloom. Cultivars were winter non-dormant CUF 101 and Pioneer Brand 572, semi-winter dormant Pioneer Brand 581 and winter dormant Pioneer Brand 545. Cultivar responses or interactions between cultivar and growth stage at cutting were not significant (P>0.05) for dry matter yield, crude protein or in vitro digestibility. Cutting of the pre-flower bud stage, compared with cutting at the 10% bloom stage, reduced DM yield by 18% (16.4 v. 13.5 t/ha), but increased crude protein content of the lucerne from 19.3 to 24%. The total protein yield per hectare was not affected by cutting stages from pre-flower bud stage to 10% bloom. Cutting lucerne at the flower bud stage rather than at 10% bloom gave increased protein content and digestibility with only a moderate yield decline. However, more frequent cutting was unsatisfactory as it decreased the density of the stand and increased the proportion of weeds and so could not be recommended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 257-268
Author(s):  
A. A. Lamidi ◽  
Q. G. Konyeha

The study was conducted to assess the agronomic indices and nutritional values of plant parts fractions of three varieties of sorghum fodder in late stages of growth in humid tropics. The experiment was 2 x 3 factorial scheme fitted into a completely randomize design, comprising of two (2) plant fractions (stem and leaf) and three (3) varieties of sorghum (Samsorg-17, 44 and 45). Agronomic parameters (plant height, leaf length, leaf width, stem circumference, fresh leaf number and dried leaf number) were monitored from 10 – 16 weeks after planting (WAP), 16 WAP leaf and stem were sampled for proximate composition, fibre fractions, mineral profile, anti-nutritional factors and in-vitro digestibility. Results obtained showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in all the agronomic indices across the weeks of growth. Plant height was higher (P<0.05) for Sarmsorg-45 (131.25 cm) and lower (P<0.05) for Samsorg-17 (107.25 cm). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in dry matter, crude protein (CP), ether extract, ash, neutral detergent fibre and non-fibre carbohydrate among the varieties. Leaf fraction had higher (P<0.05) contents of CP (17.53%). Stem had higher (P<0.05) values of all fibre fractions except acid detergent fibre. There was a significant (P<0.05) influence of varieties on the Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Mn. Leaf fraction had higher (P<0.05) contents of P (1.06%), K (0.37%), Na (1.75%), Cu (13.01 mg/kg) and Zn (17.53 mg/kg). Plant fractions were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the anti-nutritional factors. Leaf fraction had higher (P<0.05) contents of phytate (0.79%), oxalate (0.60%), tannins (0.60%), trypsin inhibitor (15.98 mg/g) and dhurrin (6.97 ìg/g). Post in-vitro characteristics were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by varieties. Leaf fractions had higher (P<0.05) in-vitro organic matter digestibility (47.39%) IOMD compared to stem (39.65%). Conclusively, all the varieties of sorghum exhibited a good agronomic indices and nutritional value that characterized sorghum as a fodder in humid tropic. Farmers should be encouraged to use leaf fractions of sorghum than stem. Samsorg-17 is recommended because of height.


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