Rumen In Vitro Fermentation and In Situ Degradation Kinetics of Winter Forage Brassicas Crops

摘要

Winter brassica crops such as kales and swedes are used to supply feed in times of seasonal shortage. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is little information about the fermentation characteristics of these forages in the rumen. This study assessed the nutrient concentration, in vitro fermentation and in situ rumen degradation characteristics of (L.) ssp. (kales) and (L.) ssp. (swedes). The kales and swedes both showed different nutrient concentrations and fermented fast and extensively in the rumen. However, in vitro fermentation of swedes resulted in lower acetate and greater proportions of butyrate and propionate. Varieties of swedes showed more differences in terms of degradation and fermentation in the rumen compared to kale varieties.