Fresh and artificially dried forages ruminal degradability. III. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) degradabilities in four growth stages. Through "in situ" dacron bags in rumen fistulated steers

Authors

  • Laércio Melotti Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo, SP.
  • Carlos de Sousa Lucci Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo, SP.
  • José Carlos Machado Nogueira Filho Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo, SP.
  • Cesar Gonçalves de Lima Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo, SP.
  • Felix Ribeiro de Lima Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo, SP.
  • José Aparecido Cunha Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo, SP.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.1994.52050

Keywords:

Forage, Digestibility, Pennisetum purpureum, Cattle

Abstract

This work studied DM, CP and CF ruminal degradability, through nylon-bag technique "in situ", of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) on several growth stages. Eight rumen fistulated steers were used to compare 4 treatments: A = 72 days and 1,30 m high; B = 105 days and 2,35 m high; C = 135 days and 3,25 m high and D = 161 days and 3,25 m high, considering age and stand of grass regrowth. Experimental design was completely randonmized, and the results showed that DM, CP and CF rumen degradabilities decreased linearly with grass growth (p < 0,01). Degradability values for 48 h incubation time were DM: 56,02%; 47,71%; 43,57% and 38,76%; CF = 47,37%, 41,7%, 32,28% and 22,92% for A, B, C and D treatments. Concerning CP, only A, B and C stages were analyzed: with the following results: 53,59%, 35,32% and 26,42% for 48 h of incubation time. Rumen volume increased linearly with grass age (p <0,01) and rumen turn-over was higher for A (p < 0,05).

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Published

1994-03-01

Issue

Section

ZOOTECHNICS

How to Cite

Fresh and artificially dried forages ruminal degradability. III. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) degradabilities in four growth stages. Through "in situ" dacron bags in rumen fistulated steers. (1994). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 31(1), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.1994.52050