Fiber composition and forage digestibility by small ruminants

摘要: Cell wall constituents (CWC) were usually more plentiful in grasses than other forages at comparable phenological stages. Acid detergent lignin (ADL) was frequently a greater proportion of the acid fiber (ADF) browse leaves forages. Forbs and woody twigs had intermediate CWC ADL/ADF values. increased digestibility decreased as many matured. The grasses, forbs, leaves, succulent significantly related to true estimated by summative equation. Dry matter di- gestibility mature cell content values, values for tended exceed observed Foodstuffs vary degree rate digest- ibility largely because their relative contents. Plants with high levels, especially when combined contents, are low-quality forage small ruminants. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(2):197-209 purposes present study determine major distinguishing charac- teristics between different types relate these characteristics nylon bag technique ruminally cannulated goats. A large number grass, forb, twig, leaf samples analyzed comprehensive system Van Soest (1967), duplicate subjected vivo microdigestion. Since is known increase tissue maturity, collected seasons. Differences found among composition, compositional changes associated in- creased extent which digested. METHODS