Post-sampling procedure affects the measured nutritive value of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

Authors

  • T.M. Dale
  • R.M. Greenfield
  • K.N. Tozer
  • C.A. Cameron

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2017.79.549

Abstract

Abstract Estimates of pasture nutritive value are affected by how samples are stored and dried before laboratory analyses. To determine which post-sampling procedures best preserved nutritive value, a range of procedures were compared for one diploid and one tetraploid perennial ryegrass cultivar in June 2016 and April 2017. Treatments included different combinations of transportation from the field to the laboratory either in liquid nitrogen or in a chilly-bin with ice-packs, storage at room temperature (19°C), a chiller (3°C), standard freezer (-18°C) or a -80°C freezer, and drying either in a freeze-drier or an oven at 65°C for 48 hours. Samples were sent to a commercial laboratory for near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy analysis. Values were higher for one or more of metabolisable energy, soluble sugars, non-structural carbohydrate, and organic matter digestibility, and lower for neutral detergent fibre and ash, when comparing transportation in liquid nitrogen with a chilly-bin, freezer storage (-80°C and standard freezer) with chiller and room temperature storage, and freeze-drying with ovendrying (P<0.01). Freeze-drying was the most critical factor in preserving the nutritive value. Keywords: freeze-drying, oven-drying, liquid nitrogen, pasture sample storage, nutritive value preservation

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Published

2017-01-01

How to Cite

Dale, T., Greenfield, R., Tozer, K., & Cameron, C. (2017). Post-sampling procedure affects the measured nutritive value of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 79, 263–268. https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2017.79.549

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Section

Past volumes