Hybrid Bermudagrass compared with Kikuyu and common couch in coastal New South Wales. 2. Crude protein content, and estimated in vivo digestibility

Abstract

In a previous study it was found that four ecotypes of hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) (ecotypes 632, 692, 6389 and 719) outyielded kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) and common couch (C. dactylon) at three sites in New South Wales. The relative feeding value of these grasses was compared in terms of their crude protein content and organic matter digestibility when grown for two years at Mitchells Island, New South Wales (Lat. 32¦S). Over the two years, kikuyu had the highest crude protein content, averaging 124 g kg-1 compared with 11 6,115,ll 1, 103 and 108, respectively, for the ecotypes 632, 692, 6389, 719 and common couch. Mean digestibilities of ecotypes 632, 692, 6389 and 719 were 63, 60, 61 and 58% respectively, compared with 60% for kikuyu and 57% for common couch. The crude protein content and digestibility of all ecotypes tended to be highest in early spring and late autumn and lower in summer, trends which were opposite to dry matter production rates. It was concluded that the quality of hybrid Bermudagrass forage was comparable with that of other sub-tropical grasses now being used in subcoastal New South Wales. However, careful pasture management would be required to maintain herbage quality during summer.