The effect of drying the herbage on soluble nitrogen content and partial digestion.

Abstract

The amount of soluble nitrogen and the effective degradation of fresh and dry herbage of Lolium multiflorum cv. Midmar was determined by the nylon bag technique. In another experiment the digestion and disappearance of organic matter and nitrogen were measured on fresh and dry ryegrass herbage fed to sheep either ad lib or at ad lib-20 per cent. The amount of soluble nitrogen was reduced by drying at 60 degrees Centigrade but the effective degradation remained unaltered; The amount of soluble N and the effective degradation of fresh and dry herbage of Lolium multiflorum cv. Midmar (ryegrass) was determined by the nylon bag technique. In another experiment the digestion and disappearance of organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N) were measured on fresh and dry ryegrass herbage fed to sheep either ad lib or at ad lib-20%. The amount of soluble N was reduced by drying at 60°C but the effective degradation remained unaltered. The disappearance of OM an N components in the digestive tract was not significantly influenced by treatment but the effect of level of intake was significant. There was, however, no significant treatment x feeding level interaction. The soluble N content of ryegrass did not affect non-ammonia N absorption in the small intestine significantly. It was concluded that amino acid absorption from the small intestine will not be limiting at dry matter contents of Midmar ryegrass of 18-20%.Language: English

Keywords: Digestibility; Lolium multiflorum; Nonammonia nitrogen; Nylon bag technique; Ryegrass; Ryegrass intake; Sheep; degradation; intake; nitrogen; nylon bag; utilization; herbage; organic matter; dry matter content; drying; digestion; n; technique; digestive tract; feeding; absorption; hatfield experimental farm; pretoria; south africa