Crop Science Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education
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Published in Crop Sci 15:676-679 (1975)
© 1975 Crop Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
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Plant Composition and In Vitro Digestibility in Bromegrass Genotypes1

A. N. Bhat and B. R. Christie2

Nineteen genotypes of bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss), 10 of high in vitro digestibility (IVD) and nine of low, were harvested at three stages of maturity in the field and two stages in the growth room. "Stems" (including leaf sheaths and heads) were divided into top and bottom portions, dried, ground, and analyzed for acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, cellulose, silica, total cell wall constitutents (CWC), and IVD. The IVD declined at the rate of one percentage unit/day from head emergence to headed stage and 0.5 percentage unit/day from headed stage to anthesis under field conditions. The top portion was approximately 4 to 8 units more digestible than the bottom. All cell wall components increased from head emergence until headed. From the headed stage to anthesis, lignin and silica increased, whereas, ADF, cellulose, and CWC declined. All cell wall components except silica were higher in the bottom portion than in the top. All cell wall components showed significant negative correlations with IVD, but lignin had the highest phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients followed by ADF. Lignin and ADF were positively correlated. Lignin content of the plant could be used as a criterion for selection for IVD.

Key Words: Bromus inermis Leyss • Fiber • Lignin • cellulose • Silica • Forage quality

1 Contribution from Dept, of Crop Sci., Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Part of a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.S. degree.

2 Formerly graduate assistant and professor, respectively, Dep. of Crop Sci., Univ. of Guelph.

Received for publication August 6, 1974.




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Copyright © 1975 by the Crop Science Society of America.