• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 1989

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of frequency of defoliation on the ensiling characteristics and nutritive value of Guineaecotype 'A' (Panicum maximum Jacq) grass. Guinea grass harvested at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-week cutting intervals was chopped (2 cm) and ensiled alone or with the addition of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) meal (w/w-fresh weight basis), for periods of 6, 7 or 8 weeks in 2-litre laboratory silos. Dry matter, water soluble carbohydrates, lactic acid, pH, ash, nitrogen and digestibility in vitro were measured in representative samples of preensiled and ensiled material. Dry matter content of silages prepared from herbage harvested at 2 and 3 weeks intervals was lower (P<0.05) compared to longer defoliation intervals. The pH of silage prepared from herbage over 8 weeks old were higher (P<0.05) than those harvested below 8 weeks. The water soluble carbohydrate content of silage prepared from 3-weekly defoliated herbage was higher (P<0.05) than those prepared from longer periods. Lengthened growth period decreased (P<0.001) the crude protein content of the ensiled material, whereas the addition of coconut meal resulted in marginal increases. In vitro organic matter digestibility of the silages decreased (P<0.05) with the increase in forage maturity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.12
• /
• pp.1587-1593
• /
• 2010

Pastures of the Apennines of Central Italy contribute to feed resources of high altitude (above 1,300 m sea level) grazing systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of faecal extract from the yak (Bos grunnienes) as an alternative microbial inoculum to rumen fluid for estimation of digestibility of several forage species. Forage samples produced at high altitude were tested in this study: four legumes (Lathyrus sativus L., Lotus corniculatus L., Onobrychis viciaefolia L. and Trifolium pratense L.), three forbs (Achillea millefolium L., Potentilla reptans L. and Teucrium flavum L.) and one grass (Brachipodyum pinnatum L.) were incubated with yak rumen fluid or faecal extract. A large variability in chemical composition was observed among the species collected. Rumen liquor and faecal samples were collected from adult healthy yak. The $Daisy^{II}$ incubator was used to evaluate the nutrient digestibility of forages using rumen liquor as control and faecal extract as alternative microbial inoculum sources. Filter bags containing samples of browse species were added to the four digestion vessels along with their respective inoculum and then incubated for 48 h and dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral and detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility was determined. There was a significant relationship between estimates, indicating that faecal liquor has the potential to be used instead of rumen fluid for estimation of in vitro digestibility of plants. It is concluded that the $Daisy^{II}$ incubator results are appropriate for the determination of in vitro digestibility of nutrients using faecal liquor to define the potential for adaptation of yak to new pastures.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.140-146
• /
• 1983

The production of dry matter, general composition, hemicelluose and cell contents and in vitro digestible dry matter, cellulose and crude protein production were investigated in the Sudangrass and the hybrid of Sudangrass x sorghum, Pioneer 931 and Pioneer 958 during the first growth and the regrowth. 1. Dry matter yield of Sudangrass showed the highest value among the cultivars tested, being 1,638kgper 10a, those of the Pioneer 988 and Pioneer 931 showed 1,404kg and 1,282kg respectively. The effect of the first growth and the regrowth on the dry matter production of Sudangrass and Pioneer 988 was relatively small. 2. The in vitro digestibility of cellulose and the estimated digestible energy value per kg had a trend to be lower in order of Pioneer 931, Pioneer 988 and Sudangrass. But the production of digestible energy per 10a was decreased in order of Sudangrass, Pioneer 958 and Pioneer 931, which produced 4,623, 4,170 and 3,970 Mcal, respectively. 3. The cultivars did not affect on the in vitro digestibility of dry matter, while the yields of digestible dry matter were decreased in the order of Sudangrass, Pioneer 988 and Pioneer 931, which showed 1,068, 939 and 893kg per 10a, respectively. The yields of digestible protein lowered in order of Pioneer 931, Sudangrass and Pioneer 988, which were 134, 130 and 102kg per 10a, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2004

In order to determine the effect of fermentation by the mycelia of fungal species, Formitella fraxinea and Sarcodon aspratus, on the in vitro dry matter digestibility and pH of mixtures with sawdust plus 20% wheat bran w/w, on dry matter basis to use as a feedstuff or an additive including fungal mycelium into a feedstuff. The mixtures were unfermented (UF) and fermented by Formitella fraxinea(FF) and Sarcodon aspratus(SA) for two weeks at $29^{\circ}C$ in a incubator. Fungal fermentation products were added to the basal diet to the level of 0, 1, 3 and 5%, w/w of diets each. The in vitro dry matter digestibilities, soluble sugar contents and pH of fermentation fluids were measured at 24, 48 and 72hr after fermentation begin. Neutral detergent fiber(NDF) contents in mixtures were lower for SA and UF(80.4 and 82.2%) than for FF(88.3%) (P<0.05). In vitro DM digestibility for 48h was higer for SA(21.2%) than for UF and FF(17.9 and 12.2%). The in vitro dry matter digestibility for 24hr was higher for diets added with FF 1% as 49.18%, and lower for diet added with FF 5%(43.07%) than basal diet(44.98%)(P<0.05), and tended to be higher for the diets added with fungal products. The pH of in vitro fermentation fluids for 24 and 48 hrs fermentation were lower for diets added with all FF and SA than for UF(P<0.05). However, those for 72 hrs fermentation were higher for SA 1%(6.74) than other diets(P<0.05). The soluble sugar concentration of in vitro fermentation fluid was not different between diets for 24 hr fermentation. However, those were higher for all additive diets than basal diet for 48 and 72 hrs fermentation(P<0.05). It could be concluded that dairy cow's diets added with fungal fermentation products have positive effects, and expected it will be more beneficial if more fungal mycelium was contained.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.481-486
• /
• 1994

The effect of neutralization of urea-treated rice straw with sulfuric acid was investigated. Long-cut (15-20 cm) and short-cut (2-3 cm) rice straw were treated with 6% urea for 21 days, and the treated straw was mixed with an acid-molasses solution to neutralize free ammonia and kept airtightly in a plastic bag for 24 hours. The neutralized and non-neutralized straw were dried and subjected to chemical analysis and in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility determination. The in vitro DM digestibility as well as crude protein (CP) content were remarkably improved by neutralization. Short-cutting of the straw before treatment gave a better result than the long-cut samples. Neutralization with sulfuric acid also affected the chemical composition and increased sulfur content of samples. The CP thus fixed by neutralization was proven to be kept stable for 3 months, and in vitro DM digestibility was not affected by the storing period.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of herbal (Obtusifolia, Cinnamon, Chinese pepper, Licorice) extracts on the rumen fermentation in vitro. Comparing to the control, in vitro dry matter digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) decreased at zero hour in the Cinnamon and the Chinese pepper, and at three hour after supplementation in the Licorice. The ratio of volatile fatty acids were significant (P<0.05) differences at 3 hour after fermentation only, acetic acid was higher (P<0.05) in the control compare to the herbal extract treatments, but the ratios of butyrate, iso-butyrate, iso-valerate and valerate were lowest in the control. The growth rate of rumen microbes in vitro was significantly (P<0.05) higer in the herbal extract treatments excluding the Obtusifolia than the control during three hour fermentation, but was not significant difference among treatments in the other fermentation times. From above results, even though the extracts of Cinnamon, Chinese pepper and Licorice inclined to inhibit the activity of rumen microbes during early fermentation period, but did not affect on the growth rate of rumen microbes in vitro.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.561-567
• /
• 1993

Twenty Korean native bulls averaging 181 kg body weight were fed a fixed amount (1.5% of live weight) of concentrate and free choice roughage cubes which had four ratios of rice straw and orchard grass hay; 100:0, 85:15, 70:30 and 55:45 on a weight basis. Five bulls were assigned to each treatment and fed for 98 days in a confinement house. Nutrient digestibility and available energy content of mixed rations (40% concentrate and 60% roughage cubes) was determined in a digestion trial with twelve wethers. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in situ dry matter disappearance of the roughage cubes were also determined. The ratio of grass hay to rice straw did not influence dry matter intake. Significant improvements in body weight gains and feed/gain ratios were obtained as grass hay levels increased. Average daily gain and feed/gain for each treatment was 0.83, 0.88, 0.98 and 0.99 kg; 7.63m 7.59, 6.83 and 6.41, respectively. Digestibility of the nutrients was improved with increasing levels of grass hay in the cubes. The IVDMD of roughage samples having a ritio of 100:0, 85:15, 70:30 and 55:45 between rice straw and orchard grass hay were 31.0, 37.1, 41.8 and 43.4%, respectively. Grass hay improved the IVDMD of rice straw diets in a linear manner up to 30%. In situ dry matter disappearance rate was also increased as the level of orchard grass hay increased.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.237-242
• /
• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cutting frequency on dry matter yield and nutritive value between heading and headless varieties of sorghumxsudangrass hybrid in 1998. Treatments were var. TE hay grazer(heading type) and Jumbo(headless type) as main plot, and 1, 2, and 3 cutting times per a year as sub plot. Although plant height of sorghumxsudangrass hybrid was no significant difference among treatments, headless type was very slightly higher than that of heading type, and both of variety decreased with 1, 2, and 3 cutting times in order. Also, dry matter yield of sorghum~sudangrass hybrid was no significant difference between heading and headless type. Dry matter yield of first cutting plot in heading type and in headless type was the higher than those of second and third cutting plot. Acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber of headless type were slightly higher than that of heading type. Acid detergent fiber of sorghumxsudangrass hybrid was highest at first cutting plot in both varieties. Neutral detergent fiber of second cutting plot in heading type and first cutting plot in headless type were the highest respectively. In vitro dry matter digestibility of headless type was very slightly higher than that of heading type. And in vitro dry matter digestibility of second cutting plot was the highest in both varieties. In vitro digestible dry matter of sorghumxsudangrass hybrid was no significant difference among treatments. The results demonstrated that although there was not significant difference, cultivation of headless type and first cutting plot per a year were very good for nutritive value and DM yield of sorghumxsudangrass hybrid as summer forage crops in Korea. (Key words : Heading, Headless type, Cutting frequency, Sorghum X Sudangrass Hybrid)

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.197-203
• /
• 1993

The protection of dry matter and nitrogen from rumen degradation of dhaincha seed (Sesbania aculeate) meal was studied using nylon bag technique. The dhaincha seed meal was subjected to various heat treatments that included oven drying, autoclaving and boiling. Similar experiment was conducted with fish meal as reference for comparison. The oven-dried dhaincha meal was found to retain more dry matter and nitrogen than was found boiled or autoclaved meal. While autoclaving appeared to improve nitrogen and dry matter retention to some extent, boiling seemed to cause more loss of dry matter from nylon bag. Heat treatment caused high retention of nitrogen by fish meal. The calculated effective protein degradation was 80.4% and 83.2% for the oven dried fish meal and dhaincha seed meal whereas same values were 74.2% and 86.7% for autoclaved fish and dhaincha seed meal respectively at the outflow rate of 4.4% per hour. The in vitro study revealed higher digestibility for heat treated samples by pepsin. The dry matter, nitrogen and ash content of dhaincha seed meal were 85.93%, 5.93% and 7.31% respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.693-701
• /
• 2003

In order to evaluate the nutritive value of the forage plants in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, 266 samples (61 grasses and 65 legumes grown in the dry season, 60 grasses and 80 legumes grown in the rainy season) were collected from the highland and lowland in 1998 to 2000, and were subjected to the determination of chemical composition and digestibility. The least-squares analysis of variance demonstrated that the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of grasses was not significantly affected by season or altitude. On the other hand, the some proximate components and cell wall components were significantly affected by season and altitude including the season${\times}$altitude interaction. For the legumes, the in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD) and cellulose content were significantly affected by season. On the other hand, the ether extract (EE) content was significantly affected by season and altitude. The interaction of the season${\times}$altitude for IVDMD, of the year${\times}$season for some proximate components and of the year${\times}$season and the season${\times}$altitude for some cell wall components were significant. These results indicate that the forages grown at highland in dry season have a relatively high quality. The means of the total digestible nutrient (TDN) content estimated from IVDMD in grasses and in legumes were 50.3% and 57.4%, respectively, and the crude protein contents were 7.7% and 17.6%, respectively. The correlation coefficients between IVDMD and the contents of crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were relatively high in all of forage plants, suggesting that these components would provide an accurate prediction of digestibility or TDN content. A close relationship between IVNDFD and lignin content indicates that the lignin would be the most accurate predictor of cell wall digestibility.