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Research article2004Peer reviewed

Comparison between two modified methods of neutral-detergent fibre analysis

Gustavsson AM, Martinsson K

Abstract

When describing the methods of analysis of neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) it is valuable to know if different modifications of the standard method of analysis give the same absolute results or if the analysing method has to be specified. In this study two modifications of the standard method were compared, a 16-h oven technique and a filter-bag technique. The comparisons were conducted using thirty-two timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and thirty-two red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) samples. The study showed that both methods ranked the forage samples in the same relative order and had good accuracy. However, the NDF concentrations for the filter-bag system were on average 7.8 g kg(-1) DM higher for the red clover samples and 39.7 g kg(-1) DM higher for the timothy samples. The difference in concentration of NDF for the red clover samples was smaller than the field variation and the daily change in NDF concentration, but in timothy the difference was four to five times larger than the field variation and the mean daily changes in NDF concentration. The study shows that it is important to specify the method of analysis for NDF when analysing timothy samples but not red clover samples, and that for this dataset it was possible to use a correction constant to recalculate the results from one method to the other

Keywords

timothy; red clover; grassland; forage; neutral-detergent fibre; nutritive quality; filter-bag technique; oven method

Published in

Grass and Forage Science
2004, Volume: 59, number: 2, pages: 186-190
Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING LTD

      SLU Authors

    • Gustavsson, Anne-Maj

      • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      • Martinsson, Kjell

        • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Veterinary Science
      Agricultural Science
      Animal and Dairy Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2494.2004.00416.x

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/4615