Effect of fibre and nitrogen content on the digestibility of Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum)

Author: T.J. Dugmore, J.B.J. van Ryssen & W.J. Stielau
Year: 1986
Issue: 4
Volume: 16
Page: 197 - 201

A series of 12 in vivo digestibility trials, using two-tooth Merino wethers were conducted on freshly-cut green kikuyu herbage. Samples of this herbage were analysed by proximate and acid-detergent analysis. A close relationship was found between crude fibre (CF) and acid-detergent fibre (ADF) (ADF = 20,06 + 0,56CF; r = 0,607; P < 0,001). An outstanding feature of these data is the positive correlation between the fibre fraction and digestible organic matter (DOM) as well as a negative correlation for the nitrogen fraction on DOM. The nitrogen fraction was found to be negatively associated with the digestibilities of the nitrogen-free extract and fibre fractions which comprise 75% of the herbage.

 

 

 

 

Keywords: chemical fractions, digestibility, Kikuyu
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