Studies of Herbage Digestibility by an in Vitro Method

Abstract

The procedure described is relatively simple: a sample of milled herbage is incubated with a mixed culture of micro-organisms taken from the rumen of a sheep or steer, any undigested residue being given a second digestion with acid pepsin. As only small samples are required, the method is particularly suitable for use in herbage breeding studies, for screening and testing new varieties, and for establishing the changes in digestibility that occur as plants mature.