Publication Date

1997

Description

The objective of this investigation was to determine whether or not the selection parameters, dry matter and total nonstructural carbohydrate contents, in an Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) selection trial were linked to other traits affecting nutritive quality. Selected F3 plants had significantly higher dry matter and total nonstructural carbohydrate contents than the commercial control plants tested. Although differences in digestibility in vitro of selected plants and control cultivars were non-significant, the selected plants contained less acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin than the controls. Acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin, the main anti-quality factors associated with pasture grasses, do not appear to be positively linked to the dry matter and non-structural carbohydrate content of Italian ryegrass.

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Selection for High Dry Matter and Nonstructural Carbohydrate Contents in Italian Ryegrass

The objective of this investigation was to determine whether or not the selection parameters, dry matter and total nonstructural carbohydrate contents, in an Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) selection trial were linked to other traits affecting nutritive quality. Selected F3 plants had significantly higher dry matter and total nonstructural carbohydrate contents than the commercial control plants tested. Although differences in digestibility in vitro of selected plants and control cultivars were non-significant, the selected plants contained less acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin than the controls. Acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin, the main anti-quality factors associated with pasture grasses, do not appear to be positively linked to the dry matter and non-structural carbohydrate content of Italian ryegrass.