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Description and Evaluation of a near Infrared Reflectance Spectro-Computer for Forage and Grain Analysis¹

Near infrared (NIR) reflectance has been proposed as a procedure to determine the nutritive value of forages and feedstuffs. A Neotec model 6100 scanning monochromator interfaced to a PDP-11 minicomputer was used for this study. Instruments of this type are called spectro-computers. Ten computer programs developed at University Park, Penn. were used to operate and test the instrument. The scanning range of the spectro-computer was from 1,100 to 2,500 nm. Wavelength accuracy was ± 1.0nm, wavelength precision ± 0.01 nm, stray light <0.10%, and system peak to peak and root mean square noises were 0.33 x 10^-3 and 0.05 x 10^-3, respectively, expressed as log (1/R). This high level of monochromator performance permits the spectro-computer precision to compare favorably with that of the standard laboratory procedures.

Two hundred forage samples were used to test the accuracy of the spectro-computer system. These samples represented a broad array of species and mixtures, stages of maturity, and harvest locations. Protein and in vitro dry matter disappearance were predicted best with NIR data treated as log of 1/R, resulting in standard errors of prediction of 0.96 and 3.18%, respectively. Other quality parameters were predicted better when the log (1/R) NIR data were transformed to the second derivative. They were acid detergent fiber ± 1.99%, neutral detergent fiber ± 2.27%, lignin ± 1.13%, cellulose ± 1.27%, Ca ± 0.16%, P ± 0.04%, and K ± 0.37%.Further study of the prediction of protein in 90 Canadian wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) samples resulted in a prediction error of 0.17%. We believe this spectro-computer system is suitable for use in forage and grain analysis.

Key Words: Spectrophotometer • Neotec 6100 monochromator • PDP-11 Minicomputer • Protein • In vitro dry matter disappearance • Acid detergent fiber • Minerals

² Professor of plant breeding, The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA 16802; principal scientist, Neotec Instruments, Inc., Silver Spring, MD; and program/analyst and Ph.D. graduate student in statistics, The Pennsylvania State Univ.

Received for publication April 17, 1980.

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