Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Animal Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
Abstract
The present study was conducted in order to determine yield and the nutritive value of Napier grass at different growth stages as a new forage source in Iran. For this purpose, Napier grass was harvested at three stages of vegetative growth (65, 85 and 115 days after planting, respectively). Chemical composition, rumen fermentation parameters, yield and some morphological traits were investigated. At the final growth stage, dry matter (DM) yield and height of Napier grass was 26.8 tons per hectare and 257 cm, respectively. With increasing age of the plant, a decrease in crude protein and an increase in lignin of cell wall was observed (P < 0.05). Crude protein and neutral detergent fiber content of the grass at this stage were 88 and 63 g/kg DM, respectively. Changes in chemical compositions during growth stages were more pronounced in the stem than in the leaf. During the growth period, the decrease in digestibility of leave and stem led to a decrease in dry matter and organic matter digestibility of Napier grass from 782 to 649 and from 814 to 747 g/kg DM, respectively (P < 0.05). The amount of gas production potential decreased with increasing plant age (P < 0.05). Fermentation rate and lag time were similar in plant harvested at the three stages of growth. The results of the present study showed that Napier grass with high yield of digestible organic matter and high nutritive value can be considered as a valuable source of forage in the country.
Keywords
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