Relative Feed Value and Digestibility of Caramba (Lolium multiflorum cv. Caramba) for Ruminants

Abstract

The aim of present study was to determine relative feed value and estimate the in vitro digestibility E2 of caramba (Lolium multiflorum cv. Caramba), a variety of Italian ryegrass, for ruminants. Caramba was harvested at the five times when the plant height was about 42 cm for each harvesting. The fresh and dry herbage yields of caramba obtained from the first, second, third and fourth harvests were similar and higher (P<0.001) than those of the fifth harvest. The highest and lowest CP yields were obtained from the first and fifth harvests at 39.43 +/- 1.96 and 10.18 +/- 0.39 kg/da, respectively. While CP and ME contents of caramba decreased (P<0.001) depending on increasing in harvest number, crude fiber, ADF, NDF and ADL values increased (P<0.001). The relative feed value (P<0.001) along with the in vitro true dry digestibility and in vitro true NDF digestibility were decreased (P<0.001) with increasing in harvest matter number. The highest values (P <0.001) of in vitro true DM digestibility and in vitro true NDF digestibility for caramba obtained from the first harvest were 87.02 +/- 0.43 and 44.18 +/- 0.50%, respectively. In vitro true DM digestibility and in vitro true NDF digestibility values of caramba for the mean of five harvests were 80.45 +/- 1.09 and 41.55 +/- 0.37 %, respectively. As a result, considering all of the investigated parameters in the present study, it may be deduced that harvesting of caramba was possible up to five times in a year. Although, the chemical composition, relative feed value and in vitro true digestibility of caramba obtained from the first fourth harvests were higher than those of the fifth harvest, it could be said that caramba obtained from each of the five harvests possess the potential as a roughage for ruminant depending on the specific situation.