Abstract
Recognizing the potential and importance of cultivating improved forage crops as a means of tackling the recurrent feed shortage facing the study area, seven oat genotypes were tested in randomized complete block design with three replications across two locations for three growing seasons (2014, 2015, and 2016). The study was aimed to evaluate dry matter (DM) and digestible organic matter yield and nutrient composition of oat genotypes. The study revealed that oat genotypes responded differently for herbage dry matter (DM) and digestible organic matter (OM) yield, and quality parameters in both study locations. Averaged over the seven oat genotypes, herbage DM and digestible OM yield. recorded at Bako were higher than Boneya Boshe location across the study periods. The ash (P > 0.05) content did not vary among oat genotypes at both testing locations, while variation was observed for DM, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), in vitro digestibility, and metabolizable energy (ME) constituents. In general, genotypes ILRI 6710 and 5453 showed higher herbage DM and digestible OM yield. Moreover, the two genotypes are also higher in their in vitro digestibility value and ME, DM, and CP contents but relatively lower in NDF, ADF, and ADL fiber constituents, and thus, they are recommended for wider cultivation.
Highlights
In Ethiopia, livestock is an integral component of the agricultural sector with a large bovine population which includes 59.5 and 60.9 million cattle and shoat, respectively [1]
Planting materials used for this study were obtained initially from the International Livestock Center for Africa (ILCA), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). en, the seven genotypes used for the current study were selected based on their adaptability to the subhumid climatic condition of Western Oromia, Ethiopia, from the previous screening and preliminary variety trial work carried at Bako Agricultural Research Center
Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were analyzed using the procedures of Van Soest et al [14]. e in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) was determined using the Tilley and Terry [15] method, whereas the metabolizable energy (ME) result was estimated from IVOMD using the equation of Uttam et al [16]: ME (MJ/kg dry matter (DM)) 0.15∗ IVOMD
Summary
In Ethiopia, livestock is an integral component of the agricultural sector with a large bovine population which includes 59.5 and 60.9 million cattle and shoat, respectively [1]. Oat is well adapted to a wide range of soils and relatively tolerant of moisture stress, waterlogging, and frost It can be a good source of animal feed in the dry season if harvested at the right stage of growth, cured, and stored as hay. E local oat variety (Jasari), which is under production and widely adapted to the current study area, is very low in fodder yield as it is very old and its capacity lowered to produce high-forage yield. Erefore, keeping in view the scarcity of quality fodder and the necessity of developing improved high yielding varieties, the current study was undertaken to identify the forage yield performance, nutritive value, and digestibility characteristics of oat genotypes grown under different locations of Western Oromia, Ethiopia
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