Manipulation of fibre digestion in the rumen
Utilization of fibrous diets by ruminants can be manipulated in various ways. Digestibility and intake can be improved by increasing the potential degradation of the insoluble but fermentable fraction and by increasing degradation rate. While extent of degradation of straw can be enhanced by chemical treatment, both extent and rate of degradation show a considerable genetic variation between cereal cultivars which shows little or no correlation with the yield and quality of grain. An improved utilization of straw can also be achieved in animals which, due to a large rumen volume, can both eat more and retain it longer and, thus, extract a greater amount of nutrients. Manipulation by developing superior micro-organisms is now being attempted but progress is likely to be limited. Presently the greatest progress can be made by selecting plant cultivars which, apart from producing the desired quality and quantity of main products, also produce crop residues of a high nutritive value
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
1991
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| Subjects: | RUMIANTE, DIGESTIBILIDAD, FORRAJES, FIBRAS, SELECCION, |
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| Summary: | Utilization of fibrous diets by ruminants can be manipulated in various ways. Digestibility and intake can be improved by increasing the potential degradation of the insoluble but fermentable fraction and by increasing degradation rate. While extent of degradation of straw can be enhanced by chemical treatment, both extent and rate of degradation show a considerable genetic variation between cereal cultivars which shows little or no correlation with the yield and quality of grain. An improved utilization of straw can also be achieved in animals which, due to a large rumen volume, can both eat more and retain it longer and, thus, extract a greater amount of nutrients. Manipulation by developing superior micro-organisms is now being attempted but progress is likely to be limited. Presently the greatest progress can be made by selecting plant cultivars which, apart from producing the desired quality and quantity of main products, also produce crop residues of a high nutritive value |
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