Abstract
Digestibility of “Tifton 85” Bermudagrass has been noted to be higher than most other Bermudagrass cultivars. However, the superior digestibility of Tifton-85 has not been verified based on samples from producers, nor is it known how water availability might affect this comparison. Recent past weather conditions in Georgia allowed this comparison. Much of Georgia was in severe drought in 2007 and 2008. In contrast, there was less/no drought in 2006 and 2009. In each of these years, producers submitted a substantial number of Tifton-85 and Coastal forage samples to our laboratory for lignin and “Digestible Neutral Detergent Fiber (dNDF48)” analyses. Over all years, Tifton-85 had lower lignin content than coastal. However, Tifton-85 had significantly lower lignin content only in drought free 2006 and 2009, whereas the lignin content of Coastal was unaffected by drought in 2007 and 2008. The lignin of Tifton-85 increased during these two drought years. Despite this, the dNDF48 for Tifton-85 was significantly higher than coastal in all four years, suggesting that drought had hardly any effect on the digestibility of Tifton-85. Apparently, the type of lignin in Tifton-85 is different from that in coastal. Higher dNDF48 for Tifton-85 has been attributed to its lower concentrations of ether-linked ferulic acid than in Coastal. Decreased ether bonding in lignin results in higher digestion.
Highlights
Warm-season perennial Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon, L) is grown extensively throughout the southeastern United States for pasture and hay [1]
In this study we observed this effect of drought more on Tifton-85 and less on the coastal bermudagrass grown in Georgia, USA
This study examined the effect of drought on the lignin content and dNDF48 under state wide growing conditions in Georgia in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009
Summary
Warm-season perennial Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon, L) is grown extensively throughout the southeastern United States for pasture and hay [1]. The stands often persist and remain productive for more than 35 years if properly managed [2]. Most are tolerant to acidic soils, moderate to heavy grazing pressure, variable rainfall distribution, and differing management. The hybrid bermudagrass “Coastal” released by USDAARS, Tifton, GA in 1943, is the most widely grown bermudagrass due to its wide adaptability, persistence, yield, and quality. Coastal is used as a standard for comparison with new bermudagrass selections and hybrids in most breeding program in the southern United States [2]. More than 4 ×106 ha of Coastal bermudagrass are grown in the United States
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