Effect of Rate of Ammonium Nitrate Fertilization and Time of Cutting Upon Selected Chemical Components and the <i>in vitro</i> Rumen Digestion of Bermudagrass Forage¹

Abstract

Synopsis High applications of nitrogen reduced holocellulose by about 13% and hemicellulose by over 20%. In vitro digestibility was not appreciably affected by nitrogen fertilization. Seasonal changes were noted in all tests. In vitro digestibility was highest in the spring and dropped considerably in mid‐summer. Lignin percentages were highest when digestibility was lowest. The lowered summer digestibility and higher lignin percentages are offered as two reasons why cattle fail to do well when pastured on bermudagrass in the summer.