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Nutritive Value of Pensacola Bahiagrass Stolons 1
Author(s) -
Rodriguez M.,
Blue W. G.,
Moore J. E.
Publication year - 1973
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/agronj1973.00021962006500050034x
Subject(s) - stolon , paspalum notatum , hay , dry matter , forage , agronomy , organic matter , nutrient , chemistry , zoology , biology , organic chemistry
Forage shortage and low forage quality during the winter season are critical in Florida during some years. Pensacola bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum Flugge) produces massive stolon‐root systems with relatively high crude protein concentrations if adequate nutrients are supplied. Preliminary in vitro digestion studies with these stolons indicated high digestibility. An experiment was initiated to study the feed value of this material and to determine the feasibility of using it during critical winter periods. Stolon evaluation was made by chemical analyses and by feeding trials with sheep to determine voluntary intake and nutrient digestibilities. Chopped stolons were mixed with chopped bahiagrass hay to give variable hay:stolon ratios. Each ration was supplemented with 10% molasses and 10% soybean meal. Dry matter and crude protein contents for all rations were approximately 86 and 12.5%, respectively. No difference was found in intake of organic matter or digestible organic matter among treatments. Cellulose digestibility decreased as the proportion of stolons in the rations was increased, but crude protein digestibility increased. Animals on all treatments averaged gains in excess of 5 kg during the 21‐day period. The chopped stolons were not readily accepted by sheep, but the addition of molasses and soybean meal markedly improved palatability. Cattle withheld from feed for 2 days consumed the stolons satisfactorily.