The nutritive value of grasses grown in Uganda when fed to zebu cattle II. The relation between crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract and other nutrients

Abstract

The correlation between chemical composition and nutritive value of grass fed to short-horn zebu steers in Uganda was investigated. The following regression equations were calculated from the experimental results and discussed in part I of this paper.Dig. coef. of C.P. = 100·89 log c.p. – 44·45;r = 0·9738, P < 0·001.(For use when fodders of wide range of proteins are compared.)Dig. coef. of c.p.= 5·14 c.p.;r – 0·9339, P < 0·001.(For quick calculation when only approximate figures are required.)Dig. coef. of c.p. = 9·588 + 4·284 c.p.;r = 0·9521, P < 0·001.To be used between 4·5 and 17% of crude protein.)% c.p. in grass eaten = 1·677 c.p.infaeces – 6·93; r = 0·958, P < 0·001.Dig. coef. of d.m. = 41·81 + 1·63 c.p.;r = 0·9362, P < 0·001.Dig. coef. of o.m.= 46·05 + 1·4152 c.p.;r = 0·8851, P < 0·001.The regression equations calculated from the experimental results in the present paper (part II) are as follows:Dig. coef. of d.m. = 150·88 – 1·179 (c.f. + n.f.e.);r = 0·9634, P < 0·001.Dig. coef. of d.m. = 120·03 – 1·778 c.f.;r = 0·721, P < 0·01.Dig. coef. of o.m. = 142·50 – 1·045 (c.f. + n.f.e.);r = 0·9320, P < 0·001.t.d.n.= 129·39 – 0·9419 (c.f. + n.f.e.);r = 0·9288, P < 0·001.t.d.n. = 7·76 + 0·8192 dig. coef. of d.m.;r = 0·9886, P < 0·001.s.e. = 0·9367 dig. coef. of d.m. – 20·15;r = 0·9832, P < 0·001.s.e. = 120·80 – 1·104 (c.f. + n.f.e.);r = 0·9468, P < 0·001.s.e. = 99·44 – 1·868 c.f.r = 0·7948, P < 0·01.