Parameters of degradability of pasture herbage cell walls and organic matter

Experiments in sacco were conducted on animals with large rumen fistulas to determine some degradability parameters of pasture herbage with different proportions of grasses, clovers and herbs in the identical growth stage (Ta ble 1). Botanical composition of herbage was reflected in its chemical comp osition, mainly in the composition of cell walls (Table 2) and in the rate of organic matter (Table 3), NDF and ADF degradation. High content of cell walls (NDF) results in higher values of lag phase for degradability of the tested parameters. Delayed onset of cell wall degradation is illustrated by electron microscopy photos. Substantial impairment of cell walls and bacte rial colonization were visible after 24th incubation in the ru men.