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Laboratory Evaluation of Quality in Subtropical Grasses: I. In Vitro Digestion of Entire Plant vs Apical Meristem Portions of Digitaria¹

Two sibling genotypes of a Digitaria hybrid were harvested over five regrowth periods in order to compare in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD) and to determine methods of sampling sub-tropical grasses. Entire top growth and apical meristem portions were collected at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 weeks of fall regrowth using four field replications of each genotype. The IVOMD of the apical portion remained relatively constant over a 6-week period, being 67.6% at 5 weeks and 67.5% at 11 weeks, indicating that the apical portion is in a comparable "physiological age" regardless of date of cut. The entire top growth decreased in IVOMD from 69.7% at 3 weeks to 61.6% at 11 weeks. Significant differences (5% level) between the two hybrids were detected at the 5-week harvest date.

Key Words: Apical meristem • Maturity • Organic matter digestion

² Professor of Agronomy, Graduate Assistant in Animal Science, and Associate Professor of Animal Science, IFAS, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville, Fla. 32601.

Received for publication May 10, 1972.