In vitro digestibility of stylosanthes at different stages of growth

Stylosanthes seabrana (Ten cutivars) at three stages of growth viz., 70 d (S₁), 90 d (S₂) and stage of regrowth i.e. 60 d after harvest followed by 70 d (S₃) were collected to assess the effect of variety and stage of growth on chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The data were analysed by factorial design. The DM, CF, NDF, ADF, lignin, silica, Ca and tannin contents increased whereas CP, EE, hemicellulose, P and F/DMD decreased with maturity. The highest IVDMD was observed in RSS-2000-13 (73.9%), which was comparable with RS-2000-72 (72.2%) at stage regrowth (S₃) and lowest • (36.57%) was observed in styloscabra (V₁₀) at 90 days (S₂)This showed that there was a complementary effect of variety and growth stage oh IVDMD in stylosanthes. No specific trend was observed in TA content. The best stage observed was stage of regrowth (S₃). Amongst the varieties evaluated RSS-2000-46 was found relatively better-followed by RSS-2000-72, RSS-2000-14, RSS-2000-13, S. scabra, RSS-2000-10, RSS-2000-70A, RSS-2000-95, S. hamata and RSS-2000-70.