Abstract
A field study was conducted to determine the changes occurring in the nitrogen and carbohydrate fractions of vetch herbage during field drying in the haymaking process. Plant materials were whole aerial parts and leaf and stem components. Samples were collected just before and after field drying and analysed for crude protein, degradable protein, non-protein nitrogen, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, total non-structural carbohydrates, neutral and acid detergent fibres, cellulose and lignin. With the exception of non-protein nitrogen, which increased, the nitrogen fractions showed non-significant changes during the field drying of herbage. The main changes in the carbohydrate fraction was a significant decrease ( P < 0.05) in the amount of total non-structural carbohydrates, which resulted in losses that ranged from 34 g kg −1 to 18 g kg −1, depending on the year, expressed as losses of dry matter. Cell-wall constituents were very little affected. The chemical changes followed a similar pattern in both the leaf and stem components.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
