Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances1683-99191996-3289Academic Journals Inc.10.3923/ajava.2008.214.221Mirzaei-AghsaghaliAfshar Maheri-sisNaser Mirza-AghazadehAli SafaeiAmir Reza HoushangiAmir-Farhang Aghajanzadeh-GolshaniAbolfazl 4200834The aim of the study was to determine the chemical composition and ruminal
degradation characteristics of two alfalfa varieties including Kareyonge
(KAR) and Hamedani (HAM) grown in West Azerbaijan in Iran, using in
situ technique. The nutritional parameters were Dry Matter (DM), Organic
Matter (OM) and Crude Protein (CP). Nylon bags filled with 5 g of each
forage were suspended in the rumen of three cannulated Gezel rams immediately
before feeding and incubated for 7 different times (0, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48
and 72 h). Parameters for degradation kinetics included readily degraded
fraction, slowly degraded fraction, lag time and fractional rate of passage.
No significant difference found between DM, CP, Ash and Ether Extract
(EE) of two alfalfa varieties although the difference for Crude Fiber
(CF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) were
significant (p<0.01).The degradability of DM, OM, CP and Effective
Rumen Degradable Protein (ERDP) at a rate of 0.05/h for KAR and HAM varieties
were 54.2, 52.16, 40.1%, 72.57 g kg-1 DM and 56.97, 54.9, 39.25%,
89.4 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Calculations based on in situ
degradability indicate that HAM alfalfa can have a higher inclusion than
KAR alfalfa in diets for ruminants because of lower NDF, greater cell
contents and ERDP.]]>AFRC. (Agricultural and Food Research Council),1993Andrighetto, I., L. Bailoni, G. Cozzi and H.F. Tolosa,1993in situ degradation of forage cell component in alfalfa and Italian ryegrass.]]>7626242631AOAC.,199015th Edn.,pp: 66-88pp: 66-88Bald, A.T., J.H. Vandersall, R.A. Erdman, J.B. Reeves and B.P. Glenn,1993in situ dry matter and crude protein degradability and amino acid composition.]]>442943Bhargava, P.K. and E.R. Orskov,1987Broderick, G.A. and D.R. Buxton,199171755760Broderick, G.A.,19957327602773Cherney, D.J., J.H. Cherney and R.F. Lucey,1992In vitro digestion kinetics of perennial forage grasses as influenced by forage maturity.]]>75 (Suppl. 1)231231 (Abstr.)Coblentz, W.K., J.O. Fritz, R.C. Cochran, W.L. Rooney and K.K. Bolcen,1997in situ and ficin methods.]]>80700713Coblentz, W.K., J.O. Fritz, W.H. Fick, R.C. Cochran and J.E. Shirley,1998In situ dry matter, nitrogen and fiber degradation of alfalfa, red clover and eastern gamagrass at four maturities.]]>81150161Elizalde, J.C., N.R. Merchen and D.B. Faulkner,1999In situ dry matter and crude protein degradation of fresh forages during the spring growth.]]>8219781990Goering, H.K. and P.J. van Soest,19701970Hoffman, P.C., S.J. Sievert, R.D. Shaver, D.A. Welch and D.K. Combs,1993In situ dry matter, protein and fiber degradation of perennial forages.]]>7626322643Kamalak, A., O. Canbolat, Y. Gurbuz and O. Ozay,200529517523Karsli, M.A. and J.R. Russell,200226249255Karsli, M.A., N. Denek, S. Deniz and A.S. Guduz,2002132530Kaya, I., S. Yildiz and A. Öncuer,200428281287Komprda, T., J. Zelenka, B. Tvrzink and B. Nedbalkova,1993in situ for testing the dependence of nutritive value of lucerne on the stage of maturity.]]>70190195Maheri-sis, N., A. Mirzaei-Aghsaghali, A. Mirza-Aghazadeh and A.R. Safaei,2007in vivo technique in sheep.]]>2239243Doreau, B.M. and M.Y.O. Ban,1992in situ nitrogen degradability of forage in Cows.]]>75782788NRC,19896th Rev. Edn.,Olubobokun, J.A., W.M. Craig and K.R. Pond,1990in situ forage disappearance.]]>6833713381Orskov, E.R. and I. McDonald,197092499503SAS,1985Version 5,Seker, E.,2002153323328Skinner, D.K., J.O. Fritz and L.L. Klocke,19943413961399Steel, R.G.D. and J.H. Torrie,19802nd Edn.,Pages: 633Pages: 633Van Soest, P.J.,19821982van Soest, P.J., J.B. Robertson and B.A. Lewis,19917435833597