| Summary: | In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) as well as in sacco rumen dry matter degradability (DMD) and nitrogen degradability (ND) studies of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) were carried out using a 3 X 3 factorial experiment arranged in a randomised complete block design with 3 replications. The treatments were 3 levels of nitrogen (N) fertiliser (0, 46, and 92 kg/ha) and 3 heights at cutting (cutting was done when the grass reached 0.5, I, and 1.5 m above the ground). The N fertiliser treatment did not yield any significant difference in DMD, ND, or IVDMD. Height at cutting had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on rumen DMD and ND and their degradability characteristics for all incubation times., There was a reduction in DMD and ND and their degradability characteristics as plant height increased at cutting. Similarly, as height at cutting increased there was a decline in IVDMD. There was a positive linear correlation between IVDMD and both DMD and ND at 48, 72, 96, and 120 h (r = 0.917, 0.923, 0.921, and 0.850 for DMD; r = 0.795, 0.814, 0.787, and 0.787 for ND). Hence, further study on intake and performance of animals is suggested to develop Napier-based diets for smallholders.
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