Abstract
An experiment was conducted to determine forage quality in elite low‐tannin sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata ( Dumont) G. Don.] lines that had shown field resistance to Rhizoctonia foliar blight. Results given below are based on means of three hay cuttings. The range in tannin and crude protein (CP) content for 54 low‐tannin lines was 2.5 to 3.2%, and 15.2 to 18.4%, respectively. The range in in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) for 75 low‐tannin lines was 36.8 to 67.0%. Some low‐tannin lines (2.7% tannin) were as low in IVDDM as the high‐tannin control line which averaged 4.9% tannin and 38% IVDDM. This indicated the presence of a factor or factors in addition to tannin affecting IVDDM. Conversely, the low‐tannin line highest in CP (18.4%) was among the highest in IVDDM(63%). The IVDDM was significantly correlated with CP for 54 low‐tannin lines, indicating that IVDDM increased as CP increased. Sugar content varied among 27 low‐tannin lines from 7.6 to 13.0%. Data indicate that forage quality of sericea can be increased by developing low‐tannin lines that are high in CP, sugars, and IVDDM.
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