Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Archived
This content is available here strictly for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping and as such it may not be fully accessible. If you work or study at University of Kentucky and would like to request an accessible version, please use the SensusAccess Document Converter.
Publication Date
2005
Location
Dublin Ireland
Description
Lignification of plant tissues restricts degradation of forages by ruminants. The undegradable lignified middle lamella/primary cell wall prevents rumen microbes from accessing undamaged adjacent plant cells. In contrast, walls of non-lignified tissues are completely degradable. Preliminary observations of how deeply rumen microbes could degrade different tissues within 20- to 30-mm long lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) stem pieces indicated a two-fold range in depth of degradation among stem samples. Studies were undertaken to determine if extent of cell wall degradation in lucerne was influenced by length of stem internodes.
Citation
Jung, H. G.; Engles, F. M.; and Lamb, J. F. S., "Influence of Internode Length on Degradability of Lucerne Stems" (2005). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 162.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/20/themeA/162)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Influence of Internode Length on Degradability of Lucerne Stems
Dublin Ireland
Lignification of plant tissues restricts degradation of forages by ruminants. The undegradable lignified middle lamella/primary cell wall prevents rumen microbes from accessing undamaged adjacent plant cells. In contrast, walls of non-lignified tissues are completely degradable. Preliminary observations of how deeply rumen microbes could degrade different tissues within 20- to 30-mm long lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) stem pieces indicated a two-fold range in depth of degradation among stem samples. Studies were undertaken to determine if extent of cell wall degradation in lucerne was influenced by length of stem internodes.
