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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2015, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (5): 117-125.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150514

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Analysis of the nutritional components and feeding values of commonly used roughages

CHEN Yan, WANG Zhi-Sheng*, ZHANG Xiao-Ming, WU Fa-Li, ZOU Hua-Wei   

  1. Animal Nutrition Institute of Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625014, China
  • Received:2014-04-22 Online:2015-05-20 Published:2015-05-20

Abstract: The nutrient composition of different roughages was evaluated using basic chemical analysis and the Cornell net carbohydrate and protein system (CNCPS). Nutrient composition was compared and feeding values calculated using the prediction formula for feeding quality evaluation. The results indicated that the contents of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), soluble crude protein (SCP), and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) in Lolium perenne, Hemarthria altissima and sweet potato stem were significantly higher than those in corn stover and rice straw. In contrast, contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in L. perenne, H. altissima and sweet potato stem were significantly lower than those in corn stover and rice straw. The L. perenne and sweet potato stem had higher levels of sugar (CA) and rapidly degraded pure protein (PB1) than the other roughages analyzed. Compared to corn stover and rice straw, H. altissima, L. perenne and sweet potato stem had higher levels of starch, pectin (CB1), non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and slowly degraded pure protein (PB3). Rice straw had the highest levels of available fiber (CB2), and corn stover had the highest levels of carbohydrate (CHO), unavailable fiber (CC) and intermediately degraded pure protein (PB2). The amino acid (AA) components of the roughages were significantly different, with different potentials for supplying limiting amino acid (LAA). Among the roughages analyzed, L. perenne had the highest level of total amino acids (TAA), essential amino-acid (EAA) and LAA, while corn stover and rice straw had the lowest. L. perenne had higher levels of digestible dry matter (DDM) and relative feed value (RFV) than the other roughages. The contents of dry matter intake (DMI) and RFV in sweet potato stem were significantly higher than those in H. altissima, while the contents of DMI, DDM and RFV in corn stover and rice straw were the lowest levels, with no significant differences between them. Therefore, L. perenne has the highest nutrient value and H. altissima and sweet potato stem are mid-range, while corn stover and rice straw have the lowest nutrient value.