A Rapid Method for the Determination of Acid-Insoluble Lignin in Forages and Its Relation to Digestibility

Abstract

A method described for the determination of acid-insoluble lignin modifies that of Moon and Abou-Raya and adapts it to rapid, routine testing of forages. Relation of the percentage of acid-insoluble lignin to the digestibility of dry matter has been demonstrated. In certain species of grass the digestion coefficient of dry matter is approximately equal to 100 minus 6 times the percentage of acid-insoluble lignin. It is proposed that the method be used in evaluating and screening forages grown in quantities too small for feeding trials.