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Nutritive Value of Kochia scoparia. II. Intake and Digestibility of Forage Harvested at Different Maturity Stages^1,2,

Texas Tech University Research Center, Pantex 79069

ABSTRACT

Digestibility studies with sheep determined the nutritive value of kochia (Kochia scoparia) forage ensiled at three stages of maturity: prebloom, midbloom, and full bloom. Crude protein in the silage decreased and crude fiber content increased with advanced stages of maturity. Dry matter intake decreased (P < .01) with both later maturity intervals, and the refused material was composed primarily of coarser portions of the large central stems. Digestibility of all nutrients measured in the consumed portions decreased (P < .01) with each later maturity period, and these reductions were expressed by linear equations.

¹ Approved by the Director of the International Center for Arid and Semi-arid Land Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, as Contribution 87.

² This study was a research problem presented by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree at Texas Tech University, Lubbock.