In situ Degradation Characteristics as Predictors of In vivo Digestibility and Metabolizable Energy Values of Forages and Wheat Straw

To predict the in vivo dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) values of forages based on in situ degradation characteristics, data of Sayan et al. (2004) for 40 samples of 3 forages and wheat straw were used in the study. For determining the degradation characteristics of forages nylon bag technique was used. There was a high (P<0.01) relation between in situ degradation characteristics and in vivo DMD, OMD and ME values. Based on the R² (determination coefficient) values, best predictions were made when the 48 and 72 h ruminal DM losses parameters and A+B+c, (A+B)+c, (A+B)+c+L degradation parameters were used.