Comparative assessment of the winter grain crops’ feeding value by the content of arabinoxylans

Abstract

ABSTRACT The main difference in fodder qualities of winter rye, triticale and wheat grains is the content of anti-nutritive substances: water-soluble pentosans and, accordingly, the viscosity of the aqueous extract of grain. Lack of scientific information about the content of antinutrients in the grain of winter cereal crops determines the relevance of the research; and the possibility to develop ways of using it and volumes of production for fodder purposes determines study’s innovativeness. The paper was set out to make a comparative assessment of the winter rye, winter triticale and winter wheat grain quality. On average for three years, the protein content of winter wheat grain was 11.5%, winter triticale – 10.0% and winter rye – 8.5%. In terms of starch content, winter wheat grain differs significantly from winter rye grain (by 0.9 percentage points more); winter triticale (by 0.8 percentage points more). On average, over three years, phosphorus in winter rye grain was 0.02 percentage points less than in wheat grain and 0.03 percentage points less than in triticale grain. Winter triticale and wheat grains hardly vary in the content of arabinoxylans and the viscosity of the aqueous extract. The results can be used in fodder production and animal husbandry.