Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Research article2014Peer reviewed

Fibre digestion potential in sugarcane across the harvesting window

Daniel, Joao Luiz Pratti; Capelesso, Alsiane; Hernando Cabezas Garcia, Edward; Zopollatto, Maity; Santos, Mateus Castilho; Huhtanen, Pekka; Nussio, Luiz Gustavo

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the proportion of indigestible neutral detergent fibre (iNDF) in the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) fraction of sugarcane, to estimate changes in NDF digestibility (NDFD) during the harvesting window and to predict sugarcane digestibility based on its fibre fractions. Whole plants of the IAC86-2480 and IAC93-3046 varieties were collected during the harvesting windows in 2007 and 2009, respectively. The in vitro true dry matter digestibility (IVTDMD) and fibre contents (NDF, iNDF, acid detergent fibre) were determined by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). The NDFD and potentially digestible NDF digestibility (pdNDFD) were estimated, and the fractional digestion rate of pdNDF was calculated. There was no relationship between growing days and iNDF as a proportion of NDF (P = 0.28) or with the fractional digestion rate of pdNDF (P = 0.30). Therefore, NDFD (mean = 335 g kg(-1)) and pdNDFD (mean = 657 g kg(-1)) remained almost constant during the harvesting window (P = 0.70 and P = 0.32 respectively). Acid detergent fibre and NDF were the best predictors of sugarcane dry matter (DM) digestibility. In conclusion, NDFD seems to be unchanged during crop growth. The point at which to harvest sugarcane as a forage source should therefore be decided based on NDF concentration, which is greatly influenced by sucrose accumulation.

Keywords

fibre digestibility; indigestible neutral detergent fibre; ruminal digestion; Saccharum officinarum L

Published in

Grass and Forage Science
2014, Volume: 69, number: 1, pages: 176-181
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

      SLU Authors

    • Hernando Cabezas Garcia, Edward

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

      • Huhtanen, Pekka

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

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Animal and Dairy Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12044

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/52651