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Palatability, Chemical Composition, and Animal Gains from Selections of Weeping Lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. 1
Author(s) -
Voigt P. W.,
Kneebone W. R.,
McIlvain E. H.,
Shoop M. C.,
Webster J. E.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1970.00021962006200050039x
Subject(s) - palatability , grazing , agronomy , biology , eragrostis , lignin , botany , food science
Significant differences in palatability were detected with Hereford steers among curvula‐type selections within Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. Two of the most palatable selections were lower in lignin, higher in cellulose, and lower in lignin‐cellulose ratio than two unpalatable selections. These two palatable selections were also taller, later in heading, and slightly wider in leaf than two unpalatable selections. Over a 3‐year period, Hereford steers grazing the most palatable selection gained 13% more per head than those grazing one of the least palatable selections, and 12% more per head than those grazing common, also of low palatability. Evaluation of palatability within the curvula‐type of E. curvula resulted in selection of a strain capable of producing higher steer gains than common.