Abstract
1. The results of nine digestibility trials on three East African grasses, using sheep as experimental animals, are reported.2. In five of the trials Bothriochloa insculpta, at various stages of growth during the season, was used. Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) was used in two trials, as was Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu grass).3. The results are discussed and are compared with other results from East Africa.4. P. clandestinum has a high digestible protein content and is highly digestible in the early stages of growth, and maintains its high protein content when 9 to 12 in. in height.5. Bothriochloa insculpta and Chloris gayana are moderately highly digestible in the-young stages but are relatively low in digestible protein. As growth ceases during the dry season the digestible protein content falls more rapidly than the starch equivalent with consequent widening of the nutritive ratio.6. It is suggested that the differences between Pennisetum clandestinum and the other grasses may be due to its predominantly vegetative habit.
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